31 Days: Why I'm Writing

A while back I saw a link to an article on facebook. The article was about a group of Mennonites in another country. I clicked the link and read with interest as the reporter described her visit with this Mennonite group. She described the church service she attended, the way the people dressed, what they did, how they acted. She described the fellowship meal following, and the afternoon of visiting and game playing. It was when she started relating her conversation with the Pastor and his wife that I began getting this sick feeling in my stomach.

I shook my head as the Pastor explained to the reporter the beliefs we Mennonites hold - nonresistance, simplicity, modesty, separation from worldly influence - and how we practice those beliefs in a practical way. He elaborated on how they strove for simplicity, how they limit their time and exposure to electronics, the internet, world news, sports, fashion and on and on. And all I could think was, "You poor, deceived reporter! You have no idea, none at all!"

I feel a little bad writing this now. Possibly I was judging the whole thing very unfairly. Possibly that group of Mennonites were as perfect as they sounded. Possibly their daily walk actually matched up as well with the beliefs they claimed to hold as that Pastor made it sound. I don't know a soul from that group of Mennonites, but somehow I rather doubt that had the reporter chosen to live with them for a year, she wouldn't have soon found some very confusing inconsistencies and disappointing delusions in the "perfect" world the Pastor painted for her!

It was after reading this article, and my reaction to it, that it seemed I heard "Write!" So, here I am.