Today's Daily Text

 This is today's Daily Text.

One thing I was told by more than one sister in regard to examining the Bible is that it helps to put yourself into it.  Not in an ego- building way, but in a "Oh, He's talking to me!" sort of way. 

Today's Daily Text starts with 1 Thessalonians 4:11, which is some very good advice for this modern age, as it was good advice for all other ages, too. Read clinically, its some basic good advice, something that was written a long time ago to a certain congregation but which has some application today. 

Read personally, I am told "Arletta, live quietly. Really work at living quietly."  followed by "Arletta, mind your own business. You have enough troubles. Do not get caught up in the worldly whirlwind of social media. Keep focused on what you need to get done and how you need to live."  Then, it goes on to say, "Arletta, do your work. Don't delegate it to someone else. You do it and take pride in it."  followed by "Don't just read these words. Obey these instructions. They are good for you."  

Yes, some of that is not actually said, but it is implied. Of course the instructions exist because the person who wrote them (Jehovah God) and the person whom through they were wrote and personalized- which applies to all scripture- is for the purpose of us all being healthfully taught the accurate knowledge of God.  So, it is good for us, good for you, good for me.  And, while they did not mention social media, as there wasn't "media" back then, as there is today, there was still the whirlwind of social gossip, suspicion, reports of wars, royalty and other higher ups to consider the life of and a lot of other stuff that seldom matters in one's day to day life, so is best not engaged in. 

Today's Daily Text is primarily about not bothering single brothers and sisters. I am a single sister. I am neither actively looking nor actively trying to remain single, but I expect I will remain so because I am old, fat and poor.  Also, throughout my life, whenever anyone has suggested a person that would be right for me they were so far off base, so, while in one way I would welcome an introduction, in another I would just as soon go running, screaming into the night, just to avoid the situation altogether.  The figurative night, and I do not mean by entering back into the world. 

One of the reasons I have trouble answering in meetings is because I went through some fairly traumatic experiences right after baptism, with people trying to set me up or force me into a category of people who don't want to be married, and some sisters who were interested in a single brother that I talked to were really tough to deal with, because, while everyone knew he had no interest in marriage, they were vitally worried that if he got interested it would be me he was interested in. Which, he told me quite plainly he is not interested in forming that sort of relationship with me. 

Of course, he was obfuscating, I believe would be the word to use. He was not interested in forming that sort of relationship. Very true.  He was not interested in me? Oh yes he was. 

How do I know? Well, when you strike up a conversation with a single man who is fairly age appropriate and quite good looking and another single man walks up behind you, saying "Excuse me" just to catch everyone's attention - a little too loud, when they can get by without saying a thing - and then stops right behind you, puts both hands on your shoulders- firmly- and  interrupts what that cute little single man is saying to demand your attention, then reaches over your shoulder to introduce himself to that single man you've been conversing with,  and just takes over the conversation, still standing behind you with one hand still firmly placed on one shoulder, it's a pretty clear indication of interest. 

So are things like shaking hands and forgetting to let go and then looking devastated when you let go, eventually, instead. And, not being a stutterer or given to blushing much, yet blushing furiously and stammering when he decides to finally speak to you.  

Yeah. 

That being said, I know he did not want to be interested in me.Therefore, his blushing and stammering, and scaring off a man who probably had zero interest in me is really his business. If that other man was interested in me and I was interested in him, then it would be my business. So, outside of asking that brother enough to know what his viewpoint is, I had to learn to just forget about the general weirdness of it all and get on with my own life. Which makes this an excellent example of striving to mind my own business, get on with my work and obey how they tell us to handle another person's singleness. 

Today's Daily Text explores both what we should and what we should not do in regard to minding our business on the subject of singleness. The principles can be applied to other situations as well. 

I hope you will read it and consider what it means in your life.