Find Power in Kindness and Patience

In today’s, world I find it hard to write about what I want to write about because it seems irrelevant compared to the chaos we are constantly bombarded with on the news. My husband and I traveled all around this beautiful country for five years before we settled down in Virginia. We visited more churches than I can count and had conversations with folks everywhere from everywhere. Surprisingly, we visited churches that deemed one side of politics evil. Then the church in next town and sometimes in the same town we visited deemed the other side of politics evil. This could have been so confusing. All sides preaching with such furor and sound arguments why the other side is the doom of America. Even with all this division I came to the conclusion that both sides care about each other and about this Nation that has been long known as the best last chance for freedom in this world.

I hope that whoever reads this doesn’t deem me evil because I refused to take a side at judging the people on either side. I have long been a political junkie and at the same time an avid Bible reader. We may have differing opinions about the policies but I have not as of yet met a truly evil American.

I have learned to study the Bible as well as other texts myself because from a young age I saw men attempting to use the Bible and other religious texts to control me and others. I eventually came to realize that I must know what the Bible says for myself so that I can not be trick out of my salvation by believing in a false god.

I also used to believe that it was my duty as an American and a believer to convince others of my point of view. But, then I thought about it. Isn’t that what the devil wanted and still wants? He wants to control everyone by force. He gives half-truths, misleads and guides us down a path using our own desires against us to get us to eat that fruit. He did it to Eve and it has been working ever since.

On the other hand, what did God want for us? Peace, freedom, healing and love. These are the fruits. If these are the fruits then the way I was thinking (wanting to control others to my point of view) was completely wrong if not evil. We must stand our ground in our own opinion yet at the same time (even though it may be painful) allow the others around us to have their own point of view.

If we don’t we are not American and we are not believers in Jesus who died on the Cross for us to be saved and have life abundant.

The beauty of this great nation is that nobody is controlling our thoughts and minds, our ethics and consciences. The voting booths are secret for a reason.

My hope is that we all appreciate our freedom, peace, joy, prosperity, nature, and lives more than we did yesterday. My hope is that we don’t take for granted all the riches that we have been given. Those who have been given much have that much more responsibility.

So yes, look skeptically at your friend or neighbor who you may not agree with and at the same time love her with kindness and patience. For whatever measure we use against her will come back on us later when we judge ourselves by the same measure.

I know some people who are staying away from people altogether during this year. Keeping our personal boundaries is important and it is just as important to occupy your space in the world. Don’t let other people crowd you out. Michael Yousef gave an incredible message on July 4, 2024. Everyone should look this up on you tube and watch it. He talked about loving one another yet not giving up. Occupy. Show up be a force. Remember back in school when the teacher would leave the room the kids would act up. Just being there may make all the difference. You may not need to do any thing at all. Simply occupy.

During this election year take lots of deep breaths. Know that you have one friend here that will love you if you choose red or blue. Maybe we should just mix them both together. Purple has always been my favorite color anyway.