I bought an expander from Hot Topic in the mall yesterday.
This morning my mom sees it and preceeds to tell me (in a most sarcastic degrading tone), "You're going to look like a Ubangi!" (possibly "damn Ubangi but I don't want to misquote). Dad also grumbled something crappy but I can't recall it right now.
(The following is what I said to mom and dad but it's not a personal attack but a general statement to all who would call me family/friend. I ran into a bit of this at Covenant also. I say the following as much for myself because many of you who know me know that I call it as I see it and more often than not it comes out pretty harsh.)
And so what if I do?! If I disgust/embarass you then don't hang ou twith me; don't speak to me; don't list me as one of your own.
As borthers and sisters in Christ we're called to love one another and edify/build up one another (Ephesians 4:29). The Scriptures say that we're not to show preferential treatment (James 2:1-13); we're not to judge others not just on appearance or status but at all (Matthew 7:1-2, Luke 6:36-38, Romans 14:9-11, basically just read the NT); we are also called to just plain love one another (once again just read the Bible).
I've said it before and I'll say it again: Christians (myself included) can be the worse people I know because we should know better but we don't.
Posted by slaw at September 28, 2003 11:14 AM | TrackBackThe fact that I don't agree with everything you say and do doesn't mean I don't love you and accept who you are. As humans we all have different ideas about things. As your Mother, I know you're an extremely intelligent person with a kind and generous heart and an awful lot to offer. Having lived 35 years longer than you, I also know that people judge others by their appearance(whether right or wrong) and I fear all your piercings may hamper your job search. As far as edifiying and building one another up goes, I feel I've always been most supportive of your endeavors, but as I said we all have different likes and dislikes. Don't hold your breath waiting for me to say "Yay Andy, get some more piercings".
Posted by: Arlene M. Coleman at September 30, 2003 08:30 AMAnd another thing! You should know by now when I'm kidding and busting your chops. I'm glad Jeff gave you this work. It's just poor timing as far as my lunch guests go.
Posted by: Arlene M. Coleman at September 30, 2003 09:42 AMMom. As to your first comment I agree whole heartedly.
You don't have to agree with/like what I do and I don't expect you to jump for joy when I get new piercings.
You and dad both have been awesome parents and extremely supportive. There are a few things that maybe you didn't do as well as you could have and there are more things than I could ever even think of that you did wonderfully. If I had the chance to change my parents or channge anything you did I wouldn't.
I did feel as if I was being attacked though and I wrote in haste. I'm sorry.
In my mind the post is in two separate parts:
1 mom said - i said
2 that made me think of how we as Christians (myself included) act towards each other.
I truly didn't mean this as a personal attack at all.
Since you're entertaining house guests this week maybe we can discuss this over coffee in more depth after John and Elaine leave.
Much Love.
Posted by: ColeSlaw at September 30, 2003 09:53 PMAs to the second post. I should know when you're joking but today you sounded a lot like Grandma Coleman; serious masked by "a little ribbing". I really thought you were pissed. Sorry.
Much Love.
Posted by: ColeSlaw at September 30, 2003 09:55 PM