Being "very demure, very mindful"...

The latest trend on social media is to post videos in jest about "being demure or very mindful".   This most recent fad was started by TikTok contributor Jools Lebron from Chicago who posted a video "How to be demure at work" which went viral.  Now there are several videos showing how people are being "demure, mindful" in their daily activities.

Honestly, I had never heard of the word "demure" until this came out.  Demure means to be "modest, reserved or serious".  In addition to demure, the adjective "very mindful" has also been added to the description.

If you ask most people, I think they would describe my personality as being very demure and very mindful.  I'm not very extroverted until you get to know me.  I tend to be slow in opening up to people until I'm sure I can trust you.  

So how did I become "very demure" and "very mindful"?

I grew up as a preacher's kid and we moved around a lot.  That meant that every year or so I would have to adjust to a new church, new school and new routines.  I tended to observe people to first before opening up.  I was always afraid of people making fun of me - and some would.  Most would comment on me being so quiet and not saying much.  Yeah, they didn't realize I was watching them.  

Even as an adult, I would be very reserved at first especially in an office environment.  I remember a co-worker making a comment once how I seemed so serious while working in a stressful situation in the courtroom but then I told him that I may have looked that way on the outside, but I was freaking out on the inside.  

Another time I was walking down the hallway at work, and someone asked why I was mad.  Apparently, my facial expression wasn't very cheerful.  I told them that I wasn't mad but was thinking (mindful) about what I was doing.  Even now I am asked what I am mad about because my facial expression doesn't always convey what is going on in my mind.  I'm usually not mad about anything, it's just my face.  

I will admit that many times it may be confusing to know if I'm "very demure, very mindful" by my facial expressions.  Let me tell you - there's a lot going on in my head at times however, when I feel that things are chaotic, I always find a place to take a timeout and regroup.  For me, I talk to God about it.  Most of the time I just sit in silence.  God doesn't always need us to talk, many times He understands the language of our silence.  Making time to sit in silence and meditate is often a challenge for us to do because we feel like we must being doing something but I have found that this time is vital to our mental and spiritual health.

So how can we be more demure?  It starts with being more mindful or our words and actions and projecting a sense of calm and composure in all situations.  It's about listening more than speaking and when we speak, speak kindly to others.  Don't you agree that the world needs more people who are demure?  There are way too many people who "speak their minds" these days but we really need to remember that are words and actions can either hurt or help others.  In a world where people are quick to anger, we need to project a sense of calm and composure.  

There are several passages in the New Testament which talk about "having the mind of Christ" which means to have our actions and words filtered through what would Christ do in each situation.  Having "the mind of Christ" is ultimately the best way to being "very demure, very mindful" in everything we do.

The Importance of Praying for People

 I still remember in church when there was a call for prayer requests, we had one precious elderly lady that would always request prayer for her lost loved ones.

She was faithful in that request.  Sure, it was a very general prayer request, but it was one that was very important and personal to her.

I pray for everyone in my life.  I don't go around advertising it, but I pray for them regardless. 

So why do we pray for people?  The main thing we should pray is that people will have their own experience with Jesus Christ.  Then, if we know of any specific needs, pray for them.

We can't get weary in praying for people.  Just because we don't see anything happening or evidence that our prayers are being answered doesn't mean that we should give up.  Keep praying.  You and I may be the only people praying for them.  It shouldn't ever matter if people know that you are praying.  For me, I don't need the credit or recognition.  If God does it, it's for Him - not me.  That's the most important thing!

If someone asks me to pray for a specific need in their lives, I take it seriously and I will pray.   I have never been one of those people who gave an obligatory "I'll pray for you" as I leave and then never pray.  I take prayer seriously and I take people's needs seriously.  If someone places their trust and confidence in me to pray for them, I will pray.  I don't play around with prayer.

I pray even if I never see the results or even if the answer goes in the opposite what that I am praying.  I present the request to God and then it's in his hands.  Yes, I have even prayed for people to be healed but they have died.  Those prayer results are hard to take and if you don't have a strong faith in God then it will throw you for a loop.   The faith isn't in MY prayer, but my faith is in what God will do.  

Don't give up on people.  Keep praying.  Absolutely nothing is wasted when we pray.  Praying for people is the purest form of love for someone else even if they don't know it.  The Bible says that Jesus is our advocate with the Father.  We bring our petitions to Him but it's not going to be our convincing words or how fancy we pray.  I have known people who pray loud prayers and speak in tongues but the only thing that God needs is our sincere heart.  

Praying for others demonstrates love, compassion, and a desire for their well-being.  It also invites God's intervention in their lives, whether for healing, guidance, or comfort.  Through prayer, we can support and uplift those around us in their struggles and needs.

Where is God in the Bad Dreams?

I had a very disturbing dream last night.  I know we all have dreams both good and bad, but this one was really troubling to me, and I don't know what to think.

You see, I always invite God to speak to me at night during my sleep because the Bible says He does that and will do that.  He never does.  Instead, I get the very opposite of what I ask for.  I'm not very happy today and I don't understand God at all.  

Is He testing me?

This is proof to you that I am not a super Christian.  Never claimed to be that.  I'm human just like everyone else.  

Still...I don't understand this.  So many times, I have invited God to visit with me at night and He doesn't.  Perhaps I make too much about this.  I know it's "just" a dream but it's tormenting me today.  I don't know what to do with this.

So here I am... the one that writes about having a relationship with God yet I'm having a strained relationship today.    I won't lie, it messes with the faith and trust issues.  

How do I manage this today?  My feelings are scrambled, and my faith has taken a hit.  

Do I give up on this nonsense?  Absolutely not.  Even in my mixed-up feelings right now I never give up and I don't think it to be nonsense.  There has to be a reason for this.  I woke up venting to God about this.  I can't help feeling hurt right now.  

So, what are the answers I have right now about this?

#1 - It is a test.  The troubling dream brings up things I must guard against.  Maybe it is a warning or just something to stretch me a bit.

#2 - Maybe God has nothing to do with it.  The enemy can also mess with your head too.  Could be some sort of spiritual warfare going on in my spirit at night.

#3 - Realize that God does what He wants to do when He wants to do it.   

The important thing to do right now is just to not panic and just let it pass.  Many times, the first hours after a disturbing dream are the hardest but then it subsides.  That's what I need to do right now.  Just because I don't understand God doesn't mean I can't trust Him.

So, what gives me the idea that God speaks in dreams?

Job 33:14-15

For God speaks again and again, though people do not recognize it.  He speaks in dreams, in visions of the night, when deep sleep falls on people as they lie in their beds.

Joel 2:28

God says that He will pour out his spirit on all people, and that the old will dream dreams and the young will see visions.

Numbers 12:6

And He said, "Hear my words:  If there is a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.

Daniel 7:1

In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon, Daniel saw a dream and visions in his head as he lay in his bed.  Then he wrote down the dream and told the sum of the matter.

So, there IS documentation that God does, indeed, do this.  But, again, He's God.  He chooses what He wants to do.  I may not understand it, but I have to believe He would have a purpose in this.