This Was Meant to be a Post About Homeschooling

I've been over it for months. So completely over it.

*Sigh*

I don't see any point in sharing my opinion on today's headlines. The truth is so far buried under the dirt of world politics that there is little hope for discovery. It's kind of like watching an episode of "The Curse of Oak Island." Have you ever been sucked into that show? They are always searching out new ways to find a legendary treasure that's been buried for centuries. They find new clues and small bits of hope, but never unearth the goal. Every week a new episode, and every year a new season. 

That said, I haven't stopped asking the questions. However, I've begun to lose faith in people in general. For some, there is no such thing as logic, critical thinking, or proper debate. Seriously...it's not a thing. Y'all should read "The Fallacy Detective: 38 Lessons on How to Recognize Bad Reasoning." Answers are hard to come by, and I certainly don't have them. I'd like to be part of the discussion, but I've been reduced to being Charlie Brown's teacher..."wah wah wah, waaah wah waaah." Speaking is a waste of energy because nothing is heard or understood. All of us are enemies, except for those that agree with our "narrative" (getting real tired of that word).

This is what gets me. Why must we be enemies?

The thing is, we are no longer driven by love. We are driven by emotion. Emotions are a blessing, and they give us meaning and personality. However, we live in a culture where emotions are the compass we live by. We are told to live out "our truth" and be who we want to be and do what we want to do. Self-control is a thing of the past. Sacrifice is a thing of the past. LOVE is a thing of the past. Think about it.

I love this passage written by Peter. It explains how it's not enough to have beliefs and knowledge alone. We need to add all the other things to it! When we speak and listen using these principles we will be more effective...

"For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they keep you from being ineffective or unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ."  2 Peter 1:5-8

And just because this is a passage from the Bible, written by an apostle of Jesus to first century Christians, doesn't mean it can't apply to you...yes, YOU. 21st century Christian, non-christian, political right, political left...you name it! 

There is no doubt, the world is full of people who care. They want the best of the best. They want peace, health, prosperity. Deep down we are all in self-protect mode. And I think there is grace for that. But just think...if everyone just took a step back and said things and HEARD things using love and self-control? Sprinkle in a little logical reasoning and maybe progress could be made. Maybe we could even be allies!

You know, I had intended to write a post about homeschooling. Ha! Another day. 

 

Fear and the Lady in the Checkout Line

In my past I have lived with fear. Truly crippling fear...fear that plagued every minute of every day. Fear that made me sick, caused my hair to fall out, gave me sleepless nights, and left me feeling so immensely alone. Sometimes that fear creeps back, but for the most part, I have (with God's incredible mercy) overcome. It didn't happen overnight. It took years. And I cannot help but think that so many are in that same boat today as we struggle to stay afloat in this world crisis.

Yesterday I was in the checkout line at the grocery store. There was a lady ahead of me already at the pay station...more than 6 feet away...and her pile of groceries were over halfway up the conveyor belt. Aware of my space, I felt safe to start putting my groceries on the belt. Then, like an exasperated mother reprimanding her child, the lady ahead of me demanded I wait to put my groceries on the belt. I wanted to cry. I decided to find a new line.

I've been in that lady's shoes. I know all too well. And I would do most ANYthing to not ever feel fear like that again. I found that my hands were shaking as I emptied my cart. My heart literally hurt as I contemplated our future in that moment: Our future seems grim. Our future is fear. Crippling fear. And it may take years to recover. 

So many feelings. So many opinions. So many fears. We need to stop viewing each other as enemies with sides. We ALL have fears, and our fears are different! Some are afraid of this virus, some are afraid of losing everything, some are afraid of a communist takeover...etc, etc. We need to stop assuming that our fears are somehow more justified than someone else's just because they are different. I drive down the road and signs tell me to "stay home to save lives" and I think of the 7-year-old who has to go to the store with his single mother. What thoughts plague his mind as he passes that sign? I think of the elderly lady isolated in her room as she struggles to breathe with no family by her side. Does she have the will to breathe much longer when nobody seems to care to visit? I think of the business owner who has been told he's non-essential and cannot fathom how he can recover. Does he feel that the only way out is by a bullet?

Questions. So many questions. Never stop asking questions.

If you aren't on a path towards seeking truth, then I'd suggest a new path. There are rabbit trails here and there, and I'm certainly guilty of going down many of them. I'm the type of person who researches to a fault. I once spent 3 weeks researching car seats for toddlers...spending literally countless hours reading review after review. Hey, when your child AND your hard-earned money are on the line, you better know you're getting the best and at the best deal! I digress...but truth is the ultimate goal, is it not? In John 8:31-32 Jesus says, "If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine, and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free." Do you believe that? I certainly do. I'm not a perfect person, but I do know that there is a perfect God and He holds the key to a life free of fear.

All that said, fear doesn't have to win in your life. Maybe take a step back and evaluate what the driving force behind your thoughts, words, and actions are. Fear can bring out the worst in me, for sure! My most favorite passage in the Bible to recite over and over is Psalm 91. When anxiety creeps in, I go to a quiet place and read it out loud to myself. Yes...out loud. I have to actually hear the words, and I believe there is power in speaking Truth audibly (that's "truth" with a capital "T"). Sometimes I have to read it until my heart stops racing, or until I fall asleep. I'll be honest, peace doesn't always come easily. I struggle with doubt, just like every other human on earth.

One last thought: GRACE. In a time when fear is at the forefront, smile when you don't want to, refrain from posting the angry comment, and for goodness sake, give people their space.

 Be well, my friends.