I got up unusually early this morning. Just turned 49 yesterday. Older people seem to get up early. I just hope I don't start passing gas without realizing it, and stuff like that!
Anyway, I received an email this morning. One that is like so many that circulate through cyberspace. This one was about "Breakfast at McDonald's" and tells a story about a lady that was moved with compassion and bought breakfast for two homeless men. It was an inspiring reminder to not only be more aware of those around me, but to respond with selfless acts of compassion. But ... the ending of these kind of emails always turn my stomach. You know ... the threats you get for not sending it back or forwarding it on to ten thousand of your friends.
Here are a few statements that really bug me: 1) "There is an Angel sent to watch over you. In order for her to work, you must pass this on to the people you want watched over." OK, so I guess God set up this system where His angels' orders are dependent on my email replies. How in the world did they operate before the world wide web? Much slower, I would imagine, if they were dependent on good ole' snail mail through the USPS.
Another pet peeve. The email says: 2) "If this comes back to you then you'll have a friend for life but, if this becomes deleted, you are not a friend." Well, sounds like that bit in the email promoting "unconditional acceptance" just flew out the window! For me, a true friend will not threaten to withdraw their friendship if I have a few boundaries I'm my life and choose to use the delete key and control what goes into my trash bin.
Then there's the "wish" comment: 3) "This is a magic frog. It will grant you one wish and only one wish, that is, if you decide to send this to others." A magic frog? Isn't it interesting how a nice, religious email goes from God, to angels, and finally degenerates into a magic frog who is responsible for determining your destiny? And not just the frog, but the speed of your wish coming true is determined by the number of friends you forward the email to. Give me a break!
With all that said, here's the bottom line for me: As far as making a wish, sending it back and passing it on ... that I don't do. My good fortune does not come from what I do or don't do with emails ... I'm blessed because of God's grace and yielding to His will. I don't believe in making wishes ... I believe in prayer. (Also ... angels in scripture always have men's names! Just thought I'd throw that one in for a little Bible trivia!) At least this email didn't have one of those "If you're not ashamed of Jesus" endings!
So, I guess what I'm saying is, if you happen to like me and are moved to forward me one of these kind of emails ... don't expect a reply back. No reflection on our friendship. Just a reflection on my personal convictions.
The little boy who stole my heart
14 years ago
