It used to be easy for me to ask people not to swear, but two nights ago, while playing Apples to Apples with friends, I observed that it is not so easy for me anymore. Perhaps it's not really less easy, but rather seems more fruitless. Swearing, especially among my age group, is viewed as acceptable, common, social and even casual. These same adjectives can be applied to young adult drinking patterns. I wondered and worried if I was letting myself slip down the slope that changes actions from unacceptable, to tolerated, to protected, to embraced.
Last evening, however, as I was reading on the lake shore, my senses were bombarded with a situation that, though similar in nature, was in feeling far from the complacency I often feel over adolescent improper verbiage and intoxication. A grown man with two young kids was catapulting profanities at the top of his lungs. His walk was unsteady and the scent of liquor overpowered the mossy breeze. He staggered towards us, top less, and as good as bottomless. Between calling out his kids to keep moving, he asked with slurred speech if we "females" had any alcohol or cigarettes. I simply replied, "No." I wanted to say, "But I can direct you to a rehab center and I will hold your children and love them and care for them until you learn to control your verbal and physical abuses."
In my head, young adult "misbehavior" is far removed from adult irresponsibility. This juxtaposition of experiences reminds me that the one leads to the other.
2 years ago
2 comments:
This one got me thinking about my own attitudes, thank you.
P.S.- I am continually impressed by your ability to utilize words to express your thoughts, thank you for sharing your light with the rest of us.
I wondered and worried if I was letting myself slip down the slope that changes actions from unacceptable, to tolerated, to protected, to embraced.
Of course, sometimes, tolerance is just that:
10 And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples.
11 And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners?
12 But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
Matthew 9:10-12
I don't think the Lord intends those around us who don't share our standards to be anathema to us. Sometimes the soft example of simply living your own value system speaks volumes more than showing your scorn can.
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