I too was worrying about what people thought of me. I worried whether I was liked, but I worried even more if when I did something I got the name of a saint. Which I am not! I would protest to this title and give all the valid reasons as to why I wasn't a saint, but this just seemed to make me look like a humble saint rather than an honest sinner. I found a way around it. I decided that everything I did/every prayer I said, every genuflection was going to be from my heart to His (Christ's) and I wasn't going to worry about what people thought about me. This meant being indifferent to compliments as well as negative comments. If you open your ears to one you will be concerned about the other. I purposely choose to walk away if I hear anyone say anything about me, and remind myself that the only thing that actually counts is what God thinks of me. That I am pleasing to Him. I am not saying that I get this right all of the time. It is something that I have to remind myself about daily as I am human and we like to be liked, respected etc.. With regards to my faith in that sense, I am free. Sometimes I will feel deep within a word that someone needs to hear etc, often a person I don't know, some times a word for someone I do (which can be more scary as your reputation is placed on the line) I look to Christ and I know that He knows that I will not go anywhere without giving that word to someone. I roll my eyes at him sometimes and smile, and ask him what he is doing to me. I know that some probably see me as a religious nut, some find me funny, but I am not concerned. I am happy to be a fool for Christ. The words that I give are confirmed by the response of people to them. I watch God in action. Yes, there are people in Church that no one talks to, people look down on, find them unworthy etc, Christ broke through all these barriers and so must we. If you are having difficulty with someone, just look to Christ on the cross and see how much He loves them, how valuable they are to Him. They were worth dying for. This makes it so easy to reach out. We don't have to solve every problem or know all the answers to world peace. We just need to love, a smile can do everything. A kind word, a strong pair of shoulders, and even just greeting someone, letting them know that they are important, these do far more than we will ever know. Look at Mary Magdalene, Christ transformed her life through one act.
Wow Mary's Child. Yes I suppose we are happy if people like us. But if you don't feel this, just offer it up. There are bullies in this world, they are not just in the school yard, they are in religious circles too. Always remember, Jesus was not a popular person. People didn't like what He had to say, mainly because they had to change their way of thinking. When others lable you a 'saint.' This can be very uncomfortable, for those very same people will watch for you to make a mistake and they talk. So people in your religious circle need to recognise Jesus in you. ... the world would be a better place if we recognise Jesus in everyone. Just put a big smile on your face and leave the rest to Jesus.
Lol, Jane. I am smiling here. It doesn't bother me what people think, and those who think I am nuts, it is in a funny way. I meant even talking about me in a good way. I am trying to say that the only thing that really counts is what Christ thinks of us. I am outspoken. But you know, my confirmation candidates can see this faith, it is tangible for them. I see changes in them as they recognize the love of God. I am very open about my life in RCIA as I believe that I am a total contradiction in what people see as blessings from God and curses. There are many difficulties that I face on a daily basis and a past that I have had to overcome, and yet. mine are the hands that Christ chose. He bowls me over constantly. In order to share our faith with others, first and foremost we have to be prepared to share ourselves with others. If we are open and honest about difficulties that we have to encounter, it helps others to see theirs in the light of Christ's love for them.
