Growing up focused on the commandments, it is easy for me to look back and have, very much, the same vision as you did as a Young Woman…..as an adult I have been so relieved to come to the realization that more often than not, “standing as a witness” is not so much about keeping rules and being an example as much as it is being an instrument on behalf of the Lord. How better to stand for Him than to stand in for Him in times of trial, need, sorrow and support? And what about times of joy, for that matter? Often we forget about witnessing during the good times!!

Love to you all, sisters!

Hi Jennifer B! And Adri and everyone who commented, thank you. It seems like I’ve been running into the phrase “mourn with those that mourn” often since I posted this, and it reminds me of this discussion every time.

Actually, asking me to meta-cognate about the phrase helps me realize that before I can better “stand” as a witness, I just need to better SEE as a witness; i.e. spend more time watching closely for God around me in the every day moment.

The next image that came to mind was this: If I knew a crime or accident was about to occur, how carefully would I watch the details unfold, so that I could accurately witness afterward?

Do I watch every day that acutely?–So that I see all the nuances of God’s love? THEN I’ll have more to witness.

For me witnessing is so much easier if it’s done for/with/from love. Most of my witnessing is done in the chaotic privacy of my own head – I try consciously to do as the Lord would have me do. Doesn’t always work, but the effort is becoming easier, and people are still getting helped and loved.

As for teenagers understanding it… that’s where grace comes in. Try to teach it but understand that usually that type of understanding only comes after life experiences teach it.

“[B]e a witness of God’s love to your kids around dinnertime when everyone is cranky, at bedtime when they don’t want to get ready, when you’re trying to leave for church and someone can’t find their shoes.”

Simply profound. Thank you.

As for teaching teens to look outward in love, I think this is one reason why service projects are so regular (around here they try to do them once a month or so).

I also think that such service can include the youth leaders in the planning, thinking about ways to reach out to those who may be ‘different’ and may feel like they don’t fit in, or about those in need, about ways to shed some cheer to others, to do some good, to life the hands and hearts that hang down.