Monday, October 6, 2008

Appearances vs. Action

My parents care about the appearance they project, but my father has gone into a bar, in his small Utah hometown where everyone who sees him knows him, to Home Teach someone who wouldn't see him anywhere else. Some members might think he was "encouraging those who drink," but there was no alternative, and he always thought the command to Home Teach was more important than what someone might have thought of him going into a bar.

I believe in acting of my own volition without having to be commanded in all things. I believe Jesus, through the life he lived, taught that people are more important than appearances - as important as appearances can be. Remember, the only people He condemned were the hypocrites who projected an appearance of righteousness while living lives full of corruption. If worrying about maintaining a good appearance keeps us from accomplishing a good action, then I think we are in danger of acting like those hypocrites.

5 comments:

Christy said...

Your father sounds like an amazing man.

adamf said...

To me, this is a matter of where one's heart is at. Obviously your fathers is/was in the right place.

"the only people He condemned were the hypocrites who projected an appearance of righteousness while living lives full of corruption."

Sometimes I worry a little about myself being included in this category, and I try hard to make my inner life congruent with my public life, and vice versa.

Kalola said...

I just want to say "Amen!!!" Thank you for sharing your dad's story with us.

Anonymous said...

I frequent Starbucks, but mostly for their orange cranberry scones and hot chocolate, not to do my home teaching.

I also met an investigator at a Starbucks here a few weeks back as well. I don't much worry about who sees me there.

However, I applaud your father's resolve, especially if this does take place in Utah. I recently went into a bar here with one of the ward missionaries from another ward in our stake, because this place supposedly had great burgers. And he was right! But motives count, and your father's are of the highest caliber.

Mama D said...

Kevinf, orange cranberry scones? I just might have to visit Starbucks... :)

Ray, I like the way you worded this. I can attest to the high caliber of Ray's dad. He is who he is, no pretenses. He is my second dad!