daily java

Daily Java: For the Lord detests the perverse but takes the upright into his confidence. The Lord’s curse is on the house of the wicked, but he blesses the home of the righteous. He mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. The wise inherit honor, but fools get only shame. (Proverbs 3:32-35)

We were at the Golden Corral today for lunch. We don’t go out much so when we do, I always like to go to places where I know I will enjoy dinner. And Golden Corral has great catfish.

We got our plates full and sat down at one of my usual places – near the window. I like to look at both the room and outside at the same time. One of my personal peccadilloes.

After we had begun eating, the residents of the table next to us came back from getting their food. There were two younger women and one older man named Leo. The younger woman sitting next to Leo had to be one of the most offensive people I have had the displeasure to be seated next to in a long time.

By younger, I figure that they were in their early 30’s or so. It was this woman’s birthday today and Leo had taken her out for lunch.

She was loud and offensive and profane and generally the kind of person who grows old by herself and cannot figure out why.

She is the kind of person who watches Jersey Shore and Orange County Choppers and TV shows like this and thinks that this is the way normal people act. She was all round unpleasant.

And I felt sorry for her. In comparison to her, I felt downright cultured. I know that is a judgment call, but we talked softly of good things, while she offered Leo a trip to a strip club where she could give him a lap dance. Then told him she was kidding.

She started off by loudly proclaiming to the waitress that the Mexican food part of the bar was lousy and soggy. Then she told her listeners (who were many of those around her) how bad her day was using vulgar words.

She was indicative of so many today: filled with misinformation of how it is that we actually live and how it is that we talk.

I almost dread listening to young people talk at the mall when they are together and I come by. The army in the late 60’s, early 70’s didn’t sound that profane. And when so much of it comes from young women, it makes it (or at least to me it does) even worse.

I remember in high school, one guy had a foul mouth. But he never cursed in front of girls. A minor thing maybe, but an indication again of how our culture has changed.

I hate it. And there is nothing I can do. They left a few minutes before us. When they walked out, the whole atmosphere in the restaurant changed.

As they walked out, she crammed a wool cap down on her head and walked out in a weird swagger. In another setting, I would have considered her drunk, but I don’t think she was.

She was ugly. Not so much in appearance. She was not necessarily a troll-like person, but in manner and demeanor, she was ugly.

And Ella sitting across from me was beautiful. I suppose that anytime your wife is made more beautiful to you, you ought to be grateful.

But as she left, I prayed for her that she could receive grace and discernment, that God could come into her life.

What else do you do?