TERRE HAUTE —
Back in the day when I was teaching a college freshman writing course, on the first day of the semester, I would have the students begin their first assignment: “Write your name on the top line of a piece of paper and tear it from your notebook. Then give the paper to someone you don’t know.”
With the expressions on their faces registering their boredom, they’d trade places. Then I’d announce that the person whose name appeared at the top of their page had just become their “special person.” After the nervous giggling stopped, I’d say, “Notice the white space? Your special person’s name does not take up much room on the paper. But if you described your special person — his or her appearance, character, habits, family life, personal beliefs — the white space would soon begin filling up. That’s exactly what your first assignment is in this class: Fill up the white space under your special person’s name.”
I’d wait for the students to finish their eye-rolling and shoulder-shrugging before I dropped the next bomb. “Each of you must introduce your special person to the rest of the class. Now. Without asking any questions.” Mostly the introductions were something like: “This is so and so and that’s all I know.”
A few weeks later, the students pulled out their paper and shared two things they had learned about their special person. Then, toward the end of the semester, the students prepared introductions of their special person and read them to the class. That’s when something magical happened. Interesting tidbits and kind words flowed freely. In those classes, seldom was heard a discouraging word, where laughter and tears got equal playing time.
Then with the satisfaction that teachers get after students learn a life-changing letter, I’d say, “Congratulations. You have just touched someone’s life with your words.”
Makes me wonder – why are we so reluctant to introduce God to those around us? Is it because when we write his name we are then left with a lot of white space on the rest of the paper? Like those students, we would have trouble introducing someone we don’t know.
Then, after a period of time, we learn more about God and we can share a few tidbits about God. But it is after a longer period of time, we make the effort to learn what we can about God. What is He like? What are His characteristics? What pleases Him? What has God promised? Delivered? Done? Accomplished? How does He comfort? Show His love? Give us strength? What are the examples we can share about what God has done for us throughout our lives?
When we can put those things in words, we can introduce God to anyone and everyone. We don’t need a Bible College degree. We don’t need to be ordained. We don’t need to speak perfectly, using correct grammar and big words.
“Taste and see that the Lord is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” (Psalm 34:8.) Go ahead. Take a taste. Find refuge. Then, make your introduction. You just might touch someone’s life with your words.
Verna Davis, speaker and writer, maybe reached at vrdspeaks@yahoo.com.
Religion
THE JOY LADY: Why are we so reluctant to introduce God to those around us?
- Religion
-
- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 24, 2013
-
Get in touch with prayer at Body Prayer workshop
Could your prayer life use some invigorating? If so, the Body Prayer workshop offered by White Violet Center for Eco-Justice at St. Mary-of-the-Woods, a ministry of the Sisters of Providence, may be for you.
-
THE JOY LADY: We are not in charge. God is. Get over it, already.
If I were in charge of the world, I would run things a bit differently.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 25, 2013
-
Cross Lane Church accepting shoe donations
Terre Haute residents are invited to donate their shoes to help millions of peopleworldwide with a shoe drive at Cross Lane Community Church on June 2.
- Church briefs: May 18, 2013
-
The Joy Lady: A good morning: everything that rises must converge
Last Monday, I had a good morning.
-
Unity Presbyterian plans retirement open house
The congregation of Unity Presbyterian Church will stage a retirement celebration open house to honor the church’s pastor, Linda Jo Peters, from 2 to 4 p.m. on May 19 at 1207 E. Springhill Drive.
-
Organist will be the featured guest at church
Organist Benjamin Kolodziej will be the featured guest at an organ recital at 4 p.m. on May 19 at Immanuel Evangelical Lutheran Church, 645 Poplar St.
-
THE JOY LADY: Call your mom; tell her you love her, that you miss her
In 1914, President Woodrow Wilson signed a resolution proclaiming “the second Sunday in May to be hereafter known as ‘Mother’s Day.’”
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 11, 2013
-
Celebrate the women in your life with The Living Rosary
On Friday, May 10, join the Sisters of Providence of St. Mary-of-the-Woods for The Living Rosary and experience the grace and power many people have discovered by “praying by hand.”
-
THE JOY LADY: When awe leaves us, we leave room for doubt
In any given gathering of grade-schoolers or even a gaggle of teenagers, in all likelihood, you will hear certain words over and over:
- CHURCH BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
- RELIGION BRIEFS: May 4, 2013
-
Good Friday service today at St. George Orthodox
St. George Orthodox Church at 1900 S. Fourth St., Terre Haute, will celebrate its Good Friday service at 7 p.m. today (May 3) and its Easter service at 9 p.m. Saturday. The Agape (Love) service will be conducted at noon on Sunday.
-
Organist’s concert May 5
Organist Jonathan Rudy will be in concert performing works from the 1600’s to the present day at 4 p.m. on Sunday at Central Presbyterian Church, 125 N. Seventh St.
The concert is free and open to the public. -
THE JOY LADY: Christ is coming again. Are you ready for that?
An older couple had a grandfather clock that announced each hour with the ringing of chimes.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 27, 2013
-
THE JOY LADY: Let us pray that our hearts be blessed by God
Growing up, I spent a lot of time with my uncle and his family in Florida.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 20, 2013
- CHURCH BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
-
THE JOY LADY: You can learn a lot from a box of crayons
Denis Omar is a handsome third-grader in Ocotillo, Honduras. The last time I was in his home, his colored chalk drawings decorated the concrete block walls. His mother said when she got tired of one drawing, she’d wash the wall and have Denis draw another.
- RELIGION BRIEFS: April 13, 2013
-
BBQ fundraiser April 13 at Allen Chapel
Historic Allen Chapel’s annual barbecue dinner fundraiser is Saturday, April 13, in the Chapel at Third and Crawford streets. Serving will be from noon to 6 p.m. with a full-line of dinner, sandwiches, sides and desserts available. Chef Stephen Miller, formerly owner of the Black Skillet and now a caterer in Cincinnati, will again prepare the barbecue.
-
THE JOY LADY: Most complaints tend to be pretty selfish
Complainers never think they are in the wrong. How could they be when they know everyone else is so wrong?
-
Church briefs: April 6, 2013
What's going on this week at area churches.
-
THE JOY LADY: Our attendance in worship services encourages other worshippers
There are all kinds of church attendees. Some attend church services once or twice a month, some once or twice a year. Some attend only Sunday morning worship.
-
African children’s choir to perform at Mount Pleasant
The Watoto Children’s Choir, traveling from Africa, began its five-month eastern U.S. tour in Oak Bluffs, Mass., on Oct. 6 and are continuing the tour through Terre Haute, Lebanon, Indianapolis, Peru, Bloomington, Columbus, Evansville and Vevay, from April 16 to May 1. All performances are free and open to the public.
- CHURCH BRIEFS: March 30, 2013
- More Religion Headlines
Raw: Trucker Bumps I-5 Bridge Before Collapse
Mayor: Person Killed in San Antonio Flooding
Suspect in Killing of Officer Found Dead in Cell
Raw: Texas Deputy Shot by Colo. Suspect Honored
Major Detours Following Wash. Bridge Collapse
Raw: Apple 1 Computer Sells for More Than $650k
Raw: French Soldier Stabbed in Throat Near Paris
Raw: Train Derails After Overpass Collapse
American Held in Grisly Czech Murders
High Wire Spectacle Thrills Crowd in Austria
Raw: Jersey Shore Reopens for Summer
Today in History May 25
Raw: Rescues From San Antonio Flooding
Raw: Gay Rights Activists March in Ukraine
Raw Video: Washington State Bridge Collapse
Bus Fire Kills 16 Children, Teacher in Pakistan
UK-bound Pakistan Plane Diverted, 2 Men Arrested
Officials: Tsarnaev Friend Linked to Slaying
Hagel Urges Cadets to End Scourge of Sex Assault
New Wheelchair Lift Promises More Access
Massive Flooding in San Antonio Area; Rescue Efforts Underway
Hope For The Boy Who Can't Smile
Young protestor goes viral on Youtube
Toronto Mayor says he's not a crack head
Maine island offers lighthouse getaway
Should We Prepare for Quakes?
Lynn Kindergarten Class Rescues Ducklings
Congressional gold medal awarded to civil rights heroes
Charles Ramsey visits Kentucky
Unique Display Greets Guests At Revel Casino
Cape Cod Train Service Worries Residents
BASE jumper rides snowmobile off cliff to honor dead friend
Bridge Collapse Survivor: 'Rough Day'
SHOCKING: School Guard Throws Girl Down Stairs
Star Wars X-Wing Star Fighter Made of Legos
Actress Amanda Bynes Arrested in New York
Singer Psy Has An Imposter
