Incoming Dennis
March 18, 2024 - Steve and I appreciate all the kind words you have sent our way with regards to working with our friend Dennis over the last 8 months, but here again I need to be honest with you.
Dennis is NOT the easiest person to work with and what I have personally found is that Dennis is really a reflection of who I am and I don't like what I see at times. Granted, in these last 8 months both Steve and I have realized that our journey with Dennis is more about us than it has ever been about Dennis. What I see in Dennis, the anger, the lack of trust, the complaining, the whining, the manipulation etc are ALL things that I have seen in myself at one time or another during this whole process. Isn't it amazing that when God wants to do something in YOUR own life He tends to drop a "Dennis" smack dab in the middle of all the "good things" you are doing and reminds you that "hey, while you're helping him, let's take a look at where you are in YOUR life".
This morning, I was reflecting about the last 8 months and honestly, I am tired and I want to quit this journey that I am on with Dennis. Sometimes he makes me so mad that I could spit. LOL Other times I just want to do what I want to do. My selfish side peeking out. I was whining and pointing out all the "weapons" in Dennis's personal arsenal that he continually uses and seems to think nothing of it. Quite frankly, his mouth can be ugly at times with others and he can hurt people immensely by what he says, while at the same time professing the name of Jesus. Jesus simply said, "and you"?
You see, even though I may not cuss, at times I can be opinionated, curt, sharp tongued, critical etc with people and can end up hurting not only others by what I say and how I say it, but I can also hurt my Father, the one I profess to love. Ouch! We all have "secret weapons" in our arsenals to protect ourselves. We tend to pull them out when we're threatened, scared, lack trust, angry etc. and then we unleash them on others indiscriminately. Then, we go to church, pretend all is well, do missions or other "good things" and repeat the cycle over and over again.
Yes, I want to quit but I know, that I know, that I know that God has dropped "a Dennis" into my life for a specific reason. He is training and purging my weapons storehouse. It's not fun. It's tiring. It's draining, and every thing in you screams, I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ANYMORE. WHAT'S THE USE? WILL HE EVER CHANGE?! Will I change? Can I change? Do I even want to change at this point?
Before you congratulate us on what we are doing for Dennis, remember that YOU too who name the name of Christ are also called to go into all the world to preach the Gospel AND to disciple others along the way. God is "dropping Dennis's" into BOTH mine and your lives every day. What are you doing with your Dennis and how is your Dennis being used to change YOUR life and make you fit for the Kingdom. God is going to call ALL of us to account one day for what we do with our own personal Dennis. Think about it.
