And its been a while since we've had an outing quite so nice as this picnic under the cherry blossoms. It was beautiful! And quiet. Not one drunk shouted "This is a pen." Or anything else. In fact, there were no drunks in this park. And THAT is remarkable. The first couple of times I went to see the cherry blossoms I wondered if anybody was actually looking at the blossoms! It seemed to me that most people were eating and drinking themselves silly without so much as an upward glance.
Our organizer, Sarah Heidebrecht, me, and Hans Welti (Swiss STW with the Elliots).
I don't actually drink for reasons I may explain in later posts. But sometime around the Cherry Blossom Festival I wrote down my "Rules for Drinking" on the back of a tissue box lying around my room. (I think this action was precipitated by daughter number #3 telling me that daughter # 1's in-laws were encouraging her to take a little wine for her stomache.)
Rules:
1. Never drink alone.
2. Never drink before noon. Better yet, wait until the evening meal.
3. Never drink without eating.
4. NEVER get drunk.
5. ALWAYS show a restraint that will give courage to your weaker brother. In fact, it is better not to drink at all at parties.
3 comments:
Those rules are dead on. Although I've been a tea-totaler (spelling?!) for well over a year now, I would also add the guideline: "don't drink with unbelievers." The rationale being that we (or at the very least, the twelve disciples) are going to drink the fruit of the vine with Jesus in the Kingdom of God and Jesus isn't drinking at all until that time, so the drinking of wine should be understood in the context of God's rest with God's people.
good rules laurie.
i vote moderation within the boundaries you describe as opposed to the total banning that so often drives peoples curiosity/desire to break rules.
-autumn
In my very humble opinion, I have found that responsible and moderated drinking has done more to show my friends integrity than not drinking just to make a point. I am one of those who genuinely enjoys a wonderful glass of wine with meals or better yet, with a good book. I would hate to think that people think me a fool, or worse unspiritual for my choice of enjoying alcohol with maturity. That said, I watch who I enjoy my drinking around...I don`t want to cause others to stumble.
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