Books, Bedlam, and A Lively Hope

Knock Knock...

Yesterday morning we had some Jehovah's Witnesses stop by to proselytize. It is a bit of a scene, since whenever strangers come on the property the dogs start barking to alert us, and then I find myself in the position of having to physically restrain them at the door, and to make matters worse, my husband had just arrived home not too long before and was sleeping. Needless to say, I like to keep commotion at a minimum so as not to wake my husband after a twelve hour night shift at the hospital. Anyway, the JW's were polite but insistent, and I always mistakenly think that once I state my denomination/church affiliation that they will understand and leave, but there always seems to be follow-up questions to that even, and it makes me wonder:

Where is the "do not call list" for home visits?

I may be wrong, but is it not even more intrusive for someone to drive on to your property, park in your drive way, and knock on your door unannounced than for them to call your telephone?

There you are, in person, you might not be yet dressed for visitors, you might have animals or children that run to meet whomever is on your front step, and you might not be able to blatantly ignore someone at the front door if it is obvious that your family is home! Whereas, when the phone rings, you can easily let it go to voice mail.

Anyway, after wishing our visitors a good day, I couldn't help but feels almost sorry for these two women who got stuck going door-to-door in our Mennonite neighborhood. Of course, there are some Methodists on our road, too. And those who aren't Christian are...Jewish Orthodox! So, good luck. While I care greatly about spreading Jesus' message, you'll more likely find me planting a seed rather than showing up at your door with a hoe and trowel expecting to put in your garden.

And perhaps a national "do not visit" registry is not the answer, considering that we have been on the "do not call" registry since day one and now receive more calls asking for charitable donations than we ever thought possible. The funny thing is, the organizations that we do support rarely call us- it's all of the ones we have never heard of before. We get most of these calls on Sundays, and always around supper time, to boot.

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12:32, Thursday, April 10, 2008 .. Posted by CitySteader

I always dread when the JW's or LDS come to the door, too! But my mother lead many of them to the Lord by inviting them in and sharing truth with them. Now, I too remind myself that, as a busy young mother of three children whom I homeschool, a home and garden to manage, and the volunteer service I do, God does me the service of bringing people who need His true message right to me! If they're not interested, they usually don't come back!!!

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02:01, Thursday, April 10, 2008 .. Posted by gokings13

I look at JW's as the easiest people to share the gospel with!

They used their gas to drive to my house, they walked up my side walk, they are on my front porch. Heck, I didn't even have to take a shower to share Jesus with someone!!
I love it when God lays an opportunity right in front of me!!

Romans 12:21
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Laura

****Indeed, Laura. And I happen to know that these particular JW's got a good dose of Godly truth yesterday since they visited both our Minister's house and another member's house *before* knocking on our door. In retrospect, you have to be impressed with their perseverance! -Monica****

Edited by Mennobrarian on Thursday, April 10, 2008 at 01:21

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03:13, Thursday, April 10, 2008 .. Posted by Kitty

I had one come by my home this week too. I think once you tell them what denomination you are, thats when they think they have to work harder. I've often wanted to invite them into my home and question them on what it is they think or believe. My dh told me not to, so I havn't, but I am curious tho. LOL And I know what you mean about the dogs, I have a Chihuahua that goes nuts when someone knocks,but thank goodness she's small...........Kitty

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03:41, Thursday, April 10, 2008 .. Posted by Citygal

Your first paragraph made me laugh - because it's just what I have to do when strangers come to our place... hold the lunging, barking big black dog, and get one of the kids to hold the yapping, nipping, little white dog!
Rachel from NZ

Those JW's!

10:43, Wednesday, April 23, 2008 .. Posted by Ali

I get so many of them at my door too. And they always seem to come during school time.

I put a sign on my door, saying that solicitors will be prayed for on the spot. I figured JW's and LDS missionaries probably wouldn't like to have them be prayed over. Especially if their salvation is being prayed for.

I enjoyed your blog!

Ali
(homeschoolblogger.com/aligirl)