Hating the Haters just adds you to the group

I love my son's fb post yesterday "I don't know anything about politics and hey, did you know it's hot outside?"  Because my son got his sarcasm in equal parts from his father AND from me, I knew immediately where he was coming from.  Between the really, really hot weather here in Georgia and the Supreme Court passing the Obama healthcare tax, facebook postings were over the top.

I grew up in the midwest, came from a middle class family and my daddy was an over-the-road union truck driver.  If you were those things back then, you were affiliated with one political party.  The rich people were affiliated with the other one.  Today, the lines aren't so clear.  There is a lot of talk about liberal and conservative, left and right wing, and other less flattering terms. 

I will tell you that I am a conservative, that I tend to go more "right" then "left.  I will also tell you I try very hard to vote for the candidate and not a party.  Most importantly, I will tell you that my opinions and choices are just that - they are mine.  I may not agree with you, I may really question how you can think and choose the way you do, but in the end, it really is none of my business. 

I am saddened by so many people that evidently NEED to make sure those who don't think the way they do are complete and total idiots.  You can't really choose a "side" that is more vocal than the other.  Both sides have some growing up to do.  By all means, we all need to educate ourselves on the issues, research truth, and VOTE.  What we don't need to do is talk about the "haters and idiots" on the other side because all it does is add to the club. 

So that's what grace is all about........

Yesterday was a long day at work - some tough moments and no real answers as I left for the day.  On the way home, as I went through an intersection in a small town that I go through every day, I noticed an unusual sight for that area.  On the street corner was a young man with a sign that said "Homeless - I will work for food".  I've seen those signs before and they always tug at my heart.  Sometimes I stop and give a few dollars I have in my pocket.  Sometimes I just keep going and say a little prayer for the person.  Yesterday, yesterday that was my undoing.  I did not have ANY cash in my wallet and yet I kept hearing "I was hungry and you fed me" over and over in my head.  So....there I am, continuing to drive towards home frantically wondering "do I turn around and go back and find a way to give the man food, do I keep going, WHAT DO I DO"?  I literally am saying out loud (with tears running down my face) to God "I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO - I NEED YOU TO TELL ME WHAT DO DO! WHY WON'T YOU TELL ME WHAT TO DO?!!" 

Truthfully, I still didn't hear exactly what He wanted me to do but I did feel a peace that if that young man is there again today, I will stop and I will try to help. Yesterday, though, it was acceptable for me to keep going. More importantly though, in a moment, this is what I knew:  God will never remember and chastise me for failing to stop and help that young man - that's what grace is all about.  That's what it means when it says my sins (if it was a sin) are removed as far as the east is from the west.  God will NEVER remember that.  Being obedient, going that extra mile, helping someone will  only allow God to "reward" me one day.  It might add a jewel to my crown but it won't take one away. That is a picture of grace that will stay with me for a very long time.

Starting Over

I've done a really lousy job of being a blogger - and I'm pretty sure I've missed a few opportunities to do some calming and healing of my heart at times.  The year 2012 has been anything but quiet and calm and I have actually used the expression "hanging on by a thread" when asked how I am doing.

I am stressed this morning; I feel over-used and I want to run someplace very far away.  Not going to happen.  Let me process and I'll be back tomorrow - hopefully able to process out loud and begin the calming of my soul.