Lately, it's been difficult to cut through all of the crap on Facebook. I believe that people should stand up for what they are passionate about and should voice their opinions. But, I can't help but think that these opinions are driving us farther and farther apart when we live in a time where we should be uniting.
It has been quite some time since I've blogged (about seven months to be exact) and that blog 48 Hours of Unknown was about Abby and our little scare that started as a lump on her foot. I recalled the blog yesterday and realized that I set forth goals that were so easily forgotten. Unfortunately, we need constant reminders on how to live in God's image. Where kindness should prevail, we are plagued with selfishness. When love should conquer all, we become guided by hate. Life is short, and fragile and I don't want to live in a world overwhelmed by this hostility and fear.
I'm not naive nor am I oblivious to the issues that have engulfed all grace and decency in this world. I see it daily, through multiple channels. Rather I chose not to let these issues guide my beliefs and action towards others. My neighbor may rally behind Trump's policies, but that doesn't mean that he's a bad person just because it conflicts with where my beliefs lie. My friend and I might not be on the same page when it comes to gun laws, but she's still my friend. I may not even see eye-to-eye with my husband, but he's still my husband, companion, and best friend, and I respect his opinion and he, in turn, respects mine.
If we swore off every family member, friend, and acquaintance because of a disagreement or differing religions, politics, religion, race, or favorite food, we would be very lonely. One thing that makes us human is that we are each our own individual. We were created to be unique to one another and I believe that rather than fearing these differences, we should embrace them.
You should be passionate about what you believe. You should march in opposition when you want to make a difference. You should express your opinion; you should scream it from atop a mountain if it pleases you. But let's do so with dignity, both towards ourselves and towards one another. Let's bring respect back to humanity. Let's love one another again.
Throughout the election and beyond inauguration, I keep thinking about my children and the world that surrounds them. I'm deeply saddened by what they see. It's difficult to raise children to be kind to one another when they are surrounded by cruelty. God has blessed children with the gift of ignorance. But, as a mother of two daughters, I wonder what they will see when they grow wiser.
I pray that those around the world will find a way to love again. We all have one thing in common, and that is that we were all created in God's image. Perhaps if we can cut through the different viewpoints, we can ground ourselves enough to recall this fact and shake hands with our neighbors, not necessarily in agreement with one another, but in respect for one another. Life is so much bigger than all of this opposition, I just pray that we can all come to understand this, even if it takes frequent reminders.
I also pray for a world where my children can be passionate about their beliefs without constant resistance and scrutiny. I pray that they can see their passions lived out and that they are met with respect and admiration.
The future of humanity is in our hands. Choose compassion, faith, and benevolence.
Above all, Choose Love.
Amen, sister! :)
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