One Thing: Support

Someone lifted you up at some critical juncture in your life. 

They supported you.  

At some significant crossroads, 

we are called to do the same for another.

Photo Credit Neil Thomas 

Comfort, comfort my people, says your God. Isaiah 40:1

One Thing: Reverberations

We might never live long enough to see how much our generosity matters, 

but even small gestures can influence generations.

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up. 

Galatians 6:9

  

One Thing: Right

It is never more important to be right than to love your neighbor.

"And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that."

Luke 6:33 

NOTE:

I jumped in.  I produced an opinion piece on this site and then posted it on social media. 

Perhaps I'm just tired, or maybe, I've got thin skin. Either way, I'm a bit exhausted with an apparent lack of compassion, diplomacy, and considerate discourse that seems so evident in our polarized society.

My first reaction said, "To heck with all of them. It does not matter what I think - or even what you think."

My second reaction was to make amends, to apologize for an opinion that has apparently offended others.

Continued reactions only provided more confusion and depression.  

The answer was obvious - just withdraw.  Let others argue, demean, and ridicule with abandon. There is no need to contribute to division.  There is no justification for escalating already frayed nerves.  There is no fulfillment when the result is rooted not in communion, but increased contention.

But withdrawing is not the answer. 

Beginning today, I will be changing this format a bit.  I'm not going to offer opinions, although they will be quietly evident.  At least for the next month or so, there will be a couple of new articles each week. They will be designed for the consideration of just one thing. There will be no preaching. They will not include any type of debate and will avoid even the concept of, "'Just the facts, ma'am." 

I need to ground myself, yet again.  

I need to recognize that my opinions are valid - and so are yours.

I need to pray that my heart will be accepting of calm and divergent viewpoints while still allowing me to be a loving person - with no exceptions.

Norton 360

Yes, more about viruses, but today I am not talking about Covid-19

Scanning my computer drives for viruses is something that is required frequently.  A nagging pop-up screen reminded me of this fact yesterday.

Not wanting my machine to be hacked, hijacked, or held hostage, I opened the program and hit ‘scan’. Immediately the software began to analyze my computer for harmful code. 

Back in the day of floppy disks, my machine was infected. I was fortunate then. Most of my work-product was stored on these things.  But it took a computer technician a few days and more than a few dollars to repair my work-station.  I am exceedingly careful now, especially since the problem is more prevalent and more destructive than ever.

Viewpoints

We all have opinions and that is a blessing.  But, I truly believe that in any gathering of 10, there could be upwards of 15 different points of view as some opinions blow with the wind.

But I’m so very disappointed.  I thought (naively) that the pandemic we’re living through (most of us) would point to something better.  I thought this crisis could unite us. I thought it could lead to a greater tolerance for others and the opinions they voice.  I thought it would guide us to an understanding that we’re human, fragile, and need each other – all the time, not just in crisis.  I thought a common need could grow a new love between people of every thought, culture, color, and economic status.  I thought – well, never mind what I thought as I’m clearly wrong.  I’ll own that outright.  I’ll own that with my own crushing disappointment.

Our culture seems to believe the truth is subjective.  Hoax, fake news, misinterpretation, misguided information, outright lies, and the agendas of others including media and politicians have resulted in silos of truth based entirely on individual infallibility.  One is either with us or dead wrong.

But, let me suggest that the following is true - for all of us.

LIFE

Saturday morning.

I'm up early.
A mild start, the temperature is 56 degrees.
For the moment, darkness conquers dawn.

Sitting in the shadows, I am hearing - life.

Ignorant of the crisis spinning around them, birds of unknown types make joyful music in shaded anonymity.

Intruding on your space, I suggest taking just a few seconds out of your day.  You can do this anytime.  All you need is 30 seconds between scheduled activities.

Close your eyes and listen. Let these nameless feathered creatures lift your spirits.
YouTube:  Birds Chirping