A well-to-do family hired a maid to keep the house and laundry clean. All the first day the new maid wore her hat, the family thought that in the excitement of a new job and wanting to get right to work she had simply forgotten to take off her hat. This habit of keeping her hat on continued into the following week. Curiosity finally overcame the lady of the house and she asked the maid why she always wore her hat when she worked. “Well,” replied the maid, “I want to be ready to quit any time you say something that hurts my feelings.”
The story is ridiculous, the maid needs some help. Yet I wonder, “How many Christians keep their hats on?” How many of us wear our feelings on our shoulders waiting for an excuse to leave the church? Just this week, I talked with someone who no longer attends a certain church in our area, because someone questioned what she wore to assembly. Yes, what they said was offensive and out of line, but we should not let people get in the way of our relationship to God.
I wonder what hope we would have if Jesus had quit because His feelings were hurt? People mocked Him, taunted Him, doubted Him, accused Him, slapped Him, spit in His face, called His teachings into question, and so on. Yet He persisted in the mission before Him enduring the shame and suffering (Heb 12:2ff).
When many quit following Jesus because what He said offended them, he turned to the disciples and asked, “Will you go away also?” Peter answered, “Lord, to whom will we go? You have the words of life.” (Jn 6:67-68).
Where could we go if we leave Christ? Where else is there salvation? What is more important to me? My feelings or my soul? Are you still wearing your hat? Take it off and get to work!
– Scott
Driving Thought 
I think at one point or another we all have our hats on. I know I struggle from time to time with this particular aspect of sin. Oh I almost forgot I wanted to let you and your family know that the geneticist said that dad has what his mom passed away from, but they could not pinpoint the exact cause or the specific disease. And I will be going to the geneticist on Monday morning to have blood work. My family would love it if you kept us in your prayers.
Meleah, we are and will be praying. I can only imagine the emotional stress you are under as you and your family deal with this. I pray that they can identify the disease, isolate it, and find treatment for your dad. I pray that you are healthy and that you do not have these genetic markers.
Thank you as if the stress from being a christian teenager was not enough I have had to deal with the loss of my grandmother, the diagnosis of my dad, and today 8 months after my grandmothers passing my grandfather is remarrying to her sister. Thanks for all your prayers if not for them I would probably struggle with the thought of asking God of how all this had to happen to me. And to be honest I still face the question. Only now I know God never gives you more than you can handle.