Great post, but I think you're preaching to the choir. The kind of self-obsessed people you're telling to "get over yourself" are usually leftist, "progressive Christians" who make a career out of being offended and in my book, aren't really Christians at all.
Our congregation started honoring all marriages this year. At the end of a Sunday morning service once a month, we read all of the marriage anniversaries for that month, ask the couples to stand, and give them a small token to encourage them in their marriage. After the first ceremony in January, someone (who is married) said, "What are you going to do for the widows and widowers? They are going to feel left out." A perfect example of what you described.
It was pointed out to the commenter that each December we have a big banquet for the widows and widowers, giving them a gift and also cash. Maybe we married people should complain that we feel left out because of that.
Of course, we aren't stopping honoring marriages. And I would think that any widow or widower who was actually asked about it would agree that it is a good thing, and that they would have appreciated the honor when their spouse was still with them. The real issue becomes a question of why everyone is so quick to complain about anything and everything. If that were to stop, there would be far fewer elders meetings.
Great post, but I think you're preaching to the choir. The kind of self-obsessed people you're telling to "get over yourself" are usually leftist, "progressive Christians" who make a career out of being offended and in my book, aren't really Christians at all.
You'd be surprised, sadly. I get this kind of pushback from people who are conservative, those you would think should know better.
🎯
Our congregation started honoring all marriages this year. At the end of a Sunday morning service once a month, we read all of the marriage anniversaries for that month, ask the couples to stand, and give them a small token to encourage them in their marriage. After the first ceremony in January, someone (who is married) said, "What are you going to do for the widows and widowers? They are going to feel left out." A perfect example of what you described.
Good grief. Sure, it would be good to acknowledge them, too, but I don't know why people view these things in competition with each other.
It was pointed out to the commenter that each December we have a big banquet for the widows and widowers, giving them a gift and also cash. Maybe we married people should complain that we feel left out because of that.
Of course, we aren't stopping honoring marriages. And I would think that any widow or widower who was actually asked about it would agree that it is a good thing, and that they would have appreciated the honor when their spouse was still with them. The real issue becomes a question of why everyone is so quick to complain about anything and everything. If that were to stop, there would be far fewer elders meetings.
That's a whole sermon packed into one article! Good stuff.
Thanks, Jason!
AMEN