Mission Five -- A Change of Scenery

Here is a sample of the missions you will encounter on the Shadow Gentleman's Road...


SKILLS REQUIRED
Being-A-Ninja Skills: Subliminal Message
Being-Nice-To-Girls Skills: Giving Time


Sir,

TIME is a gift from our patient God. You should be patient too, and appreciate time. It is a necessary ingredient in the changing, growing, and healing of a human being -- and now you are going to learn to use it.

Did you talk to your sister as instructed in the previous mission? Hopefully you gained some insight into her mental landscape and discovered where she most dearly needs defenders. Now your first instinct might be to sit her down and tell her where she's misunderstanding the truth...but that's not how we do.

Remember that you are still trying to remain invisible. Remember also that you are working to nurture a deep peace in your sister's heart -- a peace that will not be shaken by the next lie (or hundred lies) that rise up. So instead of attacking the issue itself, start quietly introducing truth into her life. Do not call attention to it or to yourself! The truth will make itself known if you place it somewhere visible.

An example will help: Suppose your sister is deceived into thinking that abortion, in general, is not terrible. And suppose that modern dogmas of Tolerance and Choice and Convenience have blunted her discernment so that you cannot reason her back to rightness. How should you protect her mind?

Firstly by praying that she will grow in the Spiritual wisdom we discussed earlier. And secondly, by changing scenery! Be the person who speaks sincerely about the blessing of children. Openly admire those parents who raise kids in difficult circumstances. Praise God (out loud!) for the idea of family. Make quiet observations about how precious is this or that person, especially children. Abortion thrives in selfishness -- so you be the person who upholds sacrificial generosity.

These should be SUBLIMINAL MESSAGES. In the example above, don't be obviously referring back to abortion (actually, all of the blessings of children and family are plenty good enough to talk about *without* an ulterior motive). Exposing lies is a separate challenge, but your goal for now should be to bolster your sister's defenses -- her knowledge and love of truth -- so that lies once exposed cannot survive. Think of ways to improve her mental backdrop, and start immediately!

Changing the scenery is great because anyone can do it. It does not take a genius to talk about what is good and true. It just takes a brother who isn't embarrassed, and who is willing to be patient. That's the other thing. You cannot tell how long it will take for truth to bloom. Plant the seeds, and water them faithfully...but trust God to make them grow. Give it time.

Sincerely,

~you stake out the empty space, thinking the signature cannot hide forever~