What is Normal
I don't think we would get the same response from any two people if we surveyed the general public. I was looking at one of those social networking sites to see how things are going in the world. One of the comments was, "Suddenly, I feel almost normal." There was then attached a picture of some guy totally decked out for the Holiday Season.
It was kind of strange to look at this guy, but the question I had, is what is this persons definition of normal and why doesn't she feel normal now? If we have a definition of normal, wouldn't you want to live to that standard? It was kind of strange. It reminded me of this story we heard in Sunday School.
A director of an asylum was being interviewed. The questions was posed, "How do you know whether a person be admitted is normal or not?" The director took the interviewer to a small room. In the room there was a tub, a stainless steel table, and 4 objects on the table, a spoon, a paper cup, a measuring cup, and a bucket. He then explained that they bring the candidate into the room, fill the tub with water, and ask them to empty it. Their observation determines if they are normal or not.
So, are you normal? Does it matter what your definition is? I fear that sometimes we get this preconceived notion of what we think is normal and then anyone who does not meet that standard is not normal.
When I was a child, I had this idea of what a teacher was. My mother is a teacher. The first time I walked into the teachers lounge with her was a little shocking. Some of the teachers were smoking, some were drinking coffee, some were reading things other than text books. It suddenly dawned on me that they were just people. Each of them had a different philosophy of teaching, but they all represented teachers. Was I being judgemental?
This is one of the hardest things for us to over come in this life. We have to over look ourselves, our preconceived ideas, and see people as God would see them. The scriptures tell us that by that manner in which we are judged, we will be judge also. Do you think your teachers have an idea of what they think a student is and should be?
What about the neighbor, ward member, or strangely dressed guy at Walmart? How do they judge? Are you within their range of normal? Does it matter? How should they be seen?
Think about it. How did you empty the tub?
It was kind of strange to look at this guy, but the question I had, is what is this persons definition of normal and why doesn't she feel normal now? If we have a definition of normal, wouldn't you want to live to that standard? It was kind of strange. It reminded me of this story we heard in Sunday School.
A director of an asylum was being interviewed. The questions was posed, "How do you know whether a person be admitted is normal or not?" The director took the interviewer to a small room. In the room there was a tub, a stainless steel table, and 4 objects on the table, a spoon, a paper cup, a measuring cup, and a bucket. He then explained that they bring the candidate into the room, fill the tub with water, and ask them to empty it. Their observation determines if they are normal or not.
So, are you normal? Does it matter what your definition is? I fear that sometimes we get this preconceived notion of what we think is normal and then anyone who does not meet that standard is not normal.
When I was a child, I had this idea of what a teacher was. My mother is a teacher. The first time I walked into the teachers lounge with her was a little shocking. Some of the teachers were smoking, some were drinking coffee, some were reading things other than text books. It suddenly dawned on me that they were just people. Each of them had a different philosophy of teaching, but they all represented teachers. Was I being judgemental?
This is one of the hardest things for us to over come in this life. We have to over look ourselves, our preconceived ideas, and see people as God would see them. The scriptures tell us that by that manner in which we are judged, we will be judge also. Do you think your teachers have an idea of what they think a student is and should be?
What about the neighbor, ward member, or strangely dressed guy at Walmart? How do they judge? Are you within their range of normal? Does it matter? How should they be seen?
Think about it. How did you empty the tub?
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