OM* Not!

When I was a young I use to spout out OM* all the time. That is until my dad said in a thundering voice, “Cathy, I don’t ever want to hear you take the Lord’s name in vain again!” Let’s just say, he put the fear of God in me.

Recently, I decided to strike out in rebellion. No, I’ve not gone back to saying OM*. Instead, I’m using “OMC!” Nope, that’s not a typo. OMC = Oh my, Cathy!  I got to thinking about how loosely God’s name is used and I thought, “How would I feel if I heard my name all the time as God hears his?”

As a Mom and I know you can fully relate to what I’m saying, I’ve heard my name repeated at least a gazillion times throughout the day when my children were small. Sometimes it was important, but most was not.

I’m not God. I am to be honored, but I do not deserve the same reverence as the One true God – the creator of heaven and earth and all things therein. What’s the big deal with saying OM*?

The 3rd commandment states: “Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain…”

Vain means empty or worthless.  Just like my own kids calling out my name without provocation, this is what society is doing every time someone exclaims, “OM*!”

We have become a people who have grown accustomed or better still numb to the fact OM* to the point of acceptance. This is what happens when we conform to others’ way of doing things, even if it’s something that seems so insignificant as using a phrase.

God is holy. Casual, everyday mindless use of OM*only relegates God to a stature of less importance.  Think about this, if you met the president regardless if you agree or disagree with the man, you would treat him with respect by addressing him as Mr. President, correct? We should lift God up with the same loving respect in refraining from callously misusing His name to express our excitement or shock.

The name of God should be edified.

“I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.” ~Psalms 86:12

I’ve gotten a wee bit desensitized to the regular usage of OM*. Not to say, I don’t notice because I do and I can predict just about every time when someone will use this phrase. It would be nice if folks thought the same as I do on this matter. All it requires is a new mindset of treating the name of God with more care.

It’s interesting, as I write this I remembered the most interesting and funny expression my DD#2’s ex-boyfriend would use, “Oh my cheese and rice!” While he isn’t actually using the Lord’s name in vain, it does sound like it when said fast and if the brain thinks someone is saying it then to me it’s the same thing. Nonetheless, this did amuse me a bit.

This got me to thinking about respect and honor and these two questions came to mind:

  1. Were you taught to address your elders as “Mr. & Mrs.” or “Sir & Ma’am”? If so, do you still do this?

My parents taught me this a very simple common courtesy to use an older person’s title and if I were speaking to someone I didn’t know by name then I would say Sir or Ma’am. I called my mother-in-law, Mrs. Kennedy up until the day we got married and then I asked her how would she like for me to address her. Even to this day, I’ll call another person sir or ma’am even if that person is younger than me. It’s not only polite, but respectful.

  1. In raising your children, did you teach yours to treat those who are older or person’s in authority to show respect?

I did pass these teaching to our kids. I think to show respect for others is also showing yourself the same respect. I find too many times there are many people who don’t share this same sentiment and it’s quite visible in our society.

Oh goody! Here’s what I decided on from Mama Kat’s weekly writing prompts.

 What do you remember most about your childhood bedroom?

It’s kinda funny last week I wrote about my childhood house on question #4 here. Feel free to read about it, if you want. The one thing I remember most about my childhood bedroom is, it was Grand Central Station or that’s the way it felt to me.

I grew up in rural West Virginia. Yep, I’m a real coal miners daughter. I’m not sure who designed the houses for the coal mine’s company housing, but the architect didn’t put any hallways in them. All the rooms were just joined. I guess it was just cheaper and quicker to put this kind of house up than to get fancy with adding a hallway.

From the kitchen, you could walk straight into my room and from there my parents’ room was on the right and my brother’s room was on the left. Talk about no privacy! That’s exactly what I had. None. Zip. Nah-dah. There were no secrets in that house.

But the one big thing I recall was the time my folks did my bedroom up. I must have been in the 5th or 6th grade when they decided to buy twin beds for my sister and me. Up until that time I shared a room with my brother. I think the big change may have come in part because my folks were going to adopt my first cousin and he would need to bunk with my brother.

Anyhow, I remember how very excited I was all day at school. It was a big deal to get your own bed like this. Trust me! I ran all the way home from the bus stop that day. I recall just flopping down on my bed. Bouncing, bouncing, bouncing where I landed. Everything was so new – the beds, the dresser, the chest of draws, the bedding, the curtain, the rug, and the walls had a fresh coat of paint. The window was open. A cool, gentle breeze filtered throughout the room. I felt like I was in my “own” paradise – my special space even if it was grand central station!

Visit Miss Jenny and the rest of the Alphabe-Thursday classroom for more homework assignments of the letter ‘O’ and while you’re hopping around, be sure to play along with Miss Amanda in her latest edition of  Thursday Two Questions.

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