So then each of us will give an account of himself to God. Therefore let us not pass judgment on one another any longer, but rather decide never to put a stumbling block or hindrance in the way of a brother. Romans 14:12-13 (ESV)
It’s awfully quiet around here. That’s what the comments section of another blog that I read says as it encourages people to write about what they think. Yes, it’s awfully quiet around here, too. The old adage, “If you can’t say something nice, just don’t say anything,” has been on my mind a lot lately. There is nothing that will get me going on a rant more than a negatively based political campaign like what fills the airwaves these days. I rarely turn on the television anymore avoiding the campaign ads. My mailbox is full of flyers every day, sometimes two or three from the same candidate. Generally, I dread seeing them and while I return the worst ones to the sender, I throw most into the post office garbage can. However, I did laugh out loud in the post office the other day at the absurdity of one ad that pictures a local female candidate for county commission dressed all in camouflage holding a gun. I know the woman through a friend who assures me that she has never been hunting. Even if she were elected, she would not have an opportunity to weigh in on gun control. I still giggle when I think of how stupid she looked. Unfortunately most voters will not see beyond the rhetoric and staged photos. When a friend told me that she will be basing all her choices upon the ads, I cringed. In my job position, I have to be careful what I say in public forums otherwise, I would be writing letters to the editor and standing on street corners. While we are told that in no way our employment affects our ability to speak our minds on our own time, in reality, it does. One benefit of retirement could be not holding my tongue anymore. But, then, my freedom could be self limiting as I consider the admonition to not be a stumbling block to others. The recent support of ChikFilA was a dilemma for me. The owner of a business has the right to spend his money as he pleases and to say what he believes whether that owner supports the same views as I do or not. But, would my purchase of a package of chicken nuggets reduce the lessons of love which I try to exemplify in my life. Did I want to be connected with the venom that was spewed from both sides of the debate? I preferred to be associated with the kindness of the ChikFilA employees and managers who, when asked for a free glass of water by a protestor, offered lemonade instead. As believers, it is a fine line we walk in this world of hate. To stand up for our values and beliefs in a way that is both gentle and firm is difficult. Until I master it, I will chose instead of speaking to follow the rule of St. Francis of Assisi who said, “Preach the gospel at all times — If necessary, use words.”
Hey thar'! I seen a sign on a church marquee that made me laugh:
"God answers kneemail"
btw, I tried tree times to do the word verification–I ain't able to do hear what it says at all, an' can only manage to "see" the correct letters about 1/3 the time.
Good luck wif' the allergy testin'.
I don't know what religion you practice but I know that Episcopalians are grappling with the last General Convention's decision to allow the blessing of gay unions (at the bishop's discretion). The bishop of South Carolina walked out, taking his delegation with him. THis is NOT a decision he agreed with. I can understand that people disagree with the decision and the bishop in question has gone on vacation and is spending that time in prayerful meditation to see what God's will is for him at this point in time. People do what they think is right and they are entitled to their own thoughts and feelings. I don't necessarily agree with using that as a spring board for protests or boycotts though. If I want Chik-Fil-A for lunch, I'll have it regardless of what the CEO thinks. The same goes for StarBucks Coffee, which takes the opposite stance. I believe in kindness to people of all orientations and races. We are ALL people and should all have the same rights if we live in a country that professes the right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.