So… I don’t know about you, but I am just kind of hurting and sad today. I’m sad for our nation because it seems like there is so much division, anger, fear and angst. And those feelings seem to cross the lines regardless of who you voted for!
I know. There’s such emotion wrapped up in the last few days and for genuine reasons. I keep asking God how He wants me to respond. ?
Yes, emotions are running on high for sure. I feel like it’s affecting my whole family’s mood, people at work, my sister and her roommates out in California… just everyone, everywhere.
Agreed. Anyone know of a place I can go hide and stick my head in the sand?? Sigh. I know, I know… That is probably not the way to be responding… ?
Desi, I’ll go with you. I kinda want to just go hide until it’s all resolved…
It seems like it would be so much easier. (And heck, I live in Idaho so there are not many people around so it would be pretty easy to just “stick my head in the sand” and ignore all that is going on in the rest of the country.)?
I want to move to Idaho right now! Or at least find someplace peaceful… a deserted island? #WannaGetAway?
LOL! ? Well, while that would be great and I would love to have you all, I don’t think that is what Jesus calls us to. ?
Yeah, You’re right. Let’s be brave. That’s what we tell our kids to do. So what do you think God is wanting us to do?
I don’t know. This whole thing is so messy!
But you know what just hit me? Life was not simple when Jesus walked the earth. I mean, He was freaking born in a stable! Talk about messy! ??
Haha. Yes, that’s true! Someone reminded me yesterday that God isn’t intimidated by our mess. He wants to be invited into it.
Yeah, in the middle of the mess, God is still in control — I keep seeing posts about how none of this was a surprise to God.
Amen to that. I think that’s what everyone can agree on. The last few months have been a bit of a mess. And I agree, we need God’s perspective.
I’m with you. I think the question is, where do we begin? It’s rather overwhelming.
Hmm… Oh look! The time! Gotta run! Hope you figure it out!?
Funny. Thanks a lot, Michelle. ?
Haha, that goes back to the head in the sand thing I guess. ??
Well, I think the only place I know to start is at my dinner table.
What do you mean?
Well, think about it. It seems like that is where Jesus would start. He often ate at the home of people who disagreed with Him. And He didn’t do it so He could beat them over the head with how wrong they were. He got to know them and met them in the mess before He was able to offer Himself as hope and peace – the common denominator in the midst of chaos.
Makes me think that He knew there was something about sharing meals with others.
Yes, when I think about it, the place where I really get to know people and their hearts is around a dinner table.
Exactly. And getting to know them doesn’t mean I say “whatever” to my convictions but it means I listen to where they’re coming from. I mean truly LISTEN – not just listen with a thought of how I’m going to defend my position. Eventually that understanding leads to having a genuine love and concern for them – even if we are polar opposites.
I so agree. These conversations expand my heart in lots of ways. And to be honest sometimes it’s really hard to talk out differences with someone else, but if I go into it with a heart of wanting to know more of the other person, it causes me to ask some deep questions of myself. Because maybe I’m not always right. ?
Yes. I think the point is listening and praying and loving. Let’s not forget that we certainly can’t do ANY of this without lots of prayer.
This is totally what we want to teach our children, don’t you think?
YES! And if we don’t model that and practice it with them, how are they supposed to ever learn how to get along with people that are different than them? They’re watching and taking their cues from us.
I love that point. I think what stresses me out as a parent sometimes is figuring out how to raise these little world-changers who hold on tight to their convictions but do so in a loving, grace-filled way.
Yes. and if we are telling our kids to be like Jesus, then we must ask: How did he do it?
He hung out with people He didn’t agree with, spoke words of grace and truth, and served them like crazy. Maybe we should take a lesson…and I’m speaking to myself on this one.
I agree. Instead of the me versus you, we bring it back to looking at what Jesus did. That should be our focus.
Amen. You hit the nail on the head. Jesus was not complicated. WE make it complicated by worrying about what others will think or if they’ll misinterpret our motives and on and on.
Yes to that?…but please don’t make me wear a What Would Jesus Do bracelet!?
LOL!!!! ?
Okay, no bracelet. But I doubt Jesus won many people over by posting divisive memes on Facebook. ?
He instead would probably sit down with them over a delicious meal and start the conversation. He would listen and offer love and grace. And he would bring along his disciples (in our case, our kids!) and model hard conversations with love. Simple, really.
Yes, but let’s remember that simple is NOT the same thing as easy.
Oh man, that makes me want to put my head back in the sand! ??
Soaking in the Truth
Scripture to encourage you:
- “Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
- “The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?” Psalm 27:1
- “He has shown you, O Man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justly, to love mercy, and to walk humbly with your God.” Micah 6:8
- “Good leadership is a channel of water controlled by God; He directs it to whatever ends He chooses.” Proverbs 21:1, The Message
- “The first thing I want you to do is pray. Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know. Pray especially for rulers and their governments to rule well so we can be quietly about our business of living simply, in humble contemplation. This is the way our Savior God wants us to live.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3, The Message
Music to inspire you:
- King of the World by Natalie Grant
- Just be Held by Casting Crowns
- Jesus, Friend of Sinners by Casting Crowns
Readings to come alongside of you:
- “All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” Ronald Reagan
- “Your success as a family, our success as a society, depends not on what happens in the White House but on what happens in your house.” -Barbara Bush
- Morning After Truth from Kim Wright Writes
- Now What??? A Christian response to a Trump Presidency from Liz Griffin.com
Living Out the Truth
How to Disagree with People by Kid President
Many wonderful voices have already shared some helpful suggestions in the blog posts above so we don’t feel a need to reinvent the wheel. One of our favorite lines from Liz Griffin’s blog is what the writers here at TextingTheTruth are aiming to do: “We speak softly knowing our words are falling on tender places.”
{These suggestions are ideas from novice moms. Sometimes our life situations need more. In that case, seeking out professional help is the right call.}
