I have developed an unusual practice when encountering someone in the service arena. I actually tip them extra when they answer, “You’re welcome or My pleasure” when I thank them. This is in response to the response I usually get, particularly from servers in a restaurant. Their response that both puzzles me and annoys me is, “No problem.” I just do not get it. Where did that come from? One guess is it is of Jamaican origination. “No problem, Mon.” Whatever… My thought is this, “I hope I haven’t been a problem to the server or my thanking them is not a problem.” I know for some the ChicFilA response of “My pleasure” comes off as a canned response but it is so much more preferable than “No problem.” I truly think that many of the ChicFilA employees do take pleasure in doing their job of serving the public well.
I cannot imagine when I express my thankfulness to God for the many blessings He has given my family and me over the years that He would reply “No problem.” I much rather think that He is saying “My pleasure” as I believe He takes great pleasure in blessing us.
Another “pet peeve” I have that is actually Biblical is the use of
“OMG” in texts, email or in everyday speech. We all know what that stands for. It is used so frequently by so many that I do not think they stop to consider what they are doing. They consider it a harmless figure of speech. The Bible says differently.
"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain" (KJV; also, "You shall not make wrongful use of the name of the Lord your God" (NRSV)
Deuteronomy 5:10-11 But I lavish unfailing love for a thousand generations on those who love me and obey my commands. “You must not misuse the name of the LORD your God. The LORD will not let you go unpunished if you misuse his name.
Matthew 6:9 Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name.
Matthew 15:7-9 You hypocrites! Isaiah was right when he prophesied about you: “These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. They worship me in vain; their teachings are merely human rules.
“The name of the Lord is holy, as He is holy. The name of the Lord is a representation of His glory, His majesty, and His supreme deity. We are to esteem and honor His name as we revere and glorify God Himself. To do any less is to take His name in vain.”
I had a friend who was a coach at the high school where I was involved with Young Life. If something happened bad in a game, he would say “J----Chr”! We were friends so I jokingly said to him one day, “Hey, quit picking on my guy, why don’t you say “Buddha”? We had a good laugh and from that day on, I called him “Buddha” to remind him not to misuse God’s name.
The intention of our hearts when using God’s name is most important. Do we use His name with reverence and respect? On the other hand, is it used as a convenient curse word or as a throwaway phrase indicating our shock or surprise? I feel it hurts our Lord who gave His life for us. It also diminishes us. I know we have better, more wholesome ways of expressing our dismay, shock or surprise.
“May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.”
Blessings, my dear friends! Thank you for your friendship, partnership and encouragement.
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