Not board games. Not card games. Not party games. Not video games. Not sports games. Not even Olympic games.
No, the games I'm thinking about are the silly games people play with each other. The mind games. The reading between the lines games. The subliminal and obscure meanings and messages people send out. I'm calling them the people games. Sometimes we transition from acting grown up to reverting back into a child like state. I am a people watcher and have noticed. I am a person and have played.
Like…Have you ever been in a store and seen someone you know and purposefully turn and go the other direction so they won't see you? Like….being disappointed and hurt, acting like it isn't a big deal to the person who hurt us – and then holding a grudge (sometimes for years!) And what is the silent treatment all about, what does it accomplish?
Why do we sometimes play crazy emotional games with each other? Why can't we all just be real? Do we sometimes feel afraid that people won't like the "real us"? Are we so confused with our own selves that we don't expect anyone to "get" us? Do we choose to make our previous comments or choices (or even others) enslave us and live up to the person we think people expect us to be? Why is it easier at sometimes to give someone the "benefit of the doubt", and also on the other hand, find it such a natural reaction to be critical or judgmental of others? Is it possible that we build unnecessary fences so high that we can't climb over them?
I've been there, done that, still DO that! Why?! It is silly. It is pointless. It hurts us and the people around us. It limits us. It confines and sentences us to feelings of sadness.
Here is something I've noticed for myself about playing these kind of people games. I'm thinking way too much about myself! When I am earnestly (not casually) seeking to be Christlike, actively seeking to think, act, become like Him the Game is Over! It is a powerful force to recon with – that kind of pure Love!
And just to throw it out there – this rambling is to be taken at face value. No people games being played here….:)
Comments:
Stephen said…
Great point. Amen!
Friday, July 22, 2011 8:25:01 AM
Ri Ri said…
In church today we talked about being optimistic during our lesson. I think part of that is being open and willing to be there. We all need to try to have a good and strong relationship with each other as a family and also with Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father. We need to be happy and willing and that way we will have more opportunities and friends.
Sunday, July 24, 2011 5:20:36 PM