The Road Not Chosen

Our Goal Is To Be Like Christ

Vitriol (def) Bitterly abusive feeling or expression.

Compassion (def) Deep awareness of the suffering of another coupled with the wish to relieve it.

My grandmother used to say "Don't wallow in the mud with the pigs" whenever I started bad-mouthing anyone or anything. I've been watching a horrifying thing happening: good, decent Christians becoming more full of vitriol towards which ever political candidate and party than full of compassion. I think it is good for all of us to take a deep breath and consider the words that are coming out of our mouths and the attitudes of our hearts. And, by the way, I definatly include myself in that.

Eph. 5:1-2 admonishes us "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God."

As we are expressing our political opinions this season let us remember that every person running for office, and every person on the planet, is loved by God just as much as He loves us. Let us look upon them as God looks upon them, let us love them as Christ loved us and died for us when we were lost in our sins and our hearts were as black as any other sinners. Let us pray for those who are running for office and not curse them because believe me, Christ isn't in heaven cursing them. He wants them to come to a saving knowledge of Him, and if they are saved, to do His will on the earth.

As Christians we dare not wallow in the mud of the popular culture and media. We dare not condemn another human being. We can look at their actions and opinions and say, "I do not support that and here is why" but we cannot move into hatred and name-calling, even in jest. As we know Paul in Eph. 5 also warns us against coarse jesting.

Today I urge you to take a long hard look at your attitude towards our candidates. I urge you to pray for the candidate you are not in favor of. Pray for their families. Pray for their staff. And pray that God would have mercy on our own hardened hearts and help us to love all mankind like Christ loved us. That, my friends, is the beginning of true revival in our land.

In Memoriam On September 11

There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under heaven:

a time to be born and a time to die,
a time to plant and a time to uproot,

a time to kill and a time to heal,
a time to tear down and a time to build,

a time to weep and a time to laugh,
a time to mourn and a time to dance,

a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them,
a time to embrace and a time to refrain,

a time to search and a time to give up,
a time to keep and a time to throw away,

a time to tear and a time to mend,
a time to be silent and a time to speak,

a time to love and a time to hate,
a time for war and a time for peace.

Ecc. 1:1-8

 

May the Lord help us always to rightly discern the times. And may we never forget the sacrifices large and small of those who have gone before us and those who are with us now. May He comfort those who mourn and bring the joy of His salvation to them. Amen.

Sarah Palin (For Molly)

Molly left a comment yesterday that she couldn't believe I hadn't blogged about Sarah Palin yet. I've been out of town and have spent the last 2 days listening to my 86 yr. old beloved mother-in-law rant (which she rarely does) about Sarah Palin. Mom's very definite opinion is that Palin shouldn't be a governor much less a VP pick because she has 5 kids, including a 4 month old baby w. DS. Keep in mind that Mom has had a front row seat in seeing what it takes to raise a special needs child: the work, the therapy, the dedication it takes to make sure the baby gets everything needed from the start to make the path easier in future years.

While I personally love the idea of a woman VP, over the last 3 days several things have bothered me. Here they are.

1. How is she going to give Trig what he needs during the important first years of his life? Parents & professionals know how vital Early Intervention is to babies with special needs. This is hard to do without mom & dad being very hands on. Sure, a nanny or sibling or therapist could do it but part of what makes it successful is the bond between parent & child. You just can't get that a couple of hours a day. I went back to work when Evan was 18 mths. old. I got up early in the morning to do his therapies. I worked with him from the moment I got home until he went to bed. (There is a lot to do, tactile stimulation, play games that are helpful for muscle, speech & brain development, etc.) That intense period of time laid the groundwork for his success in school and now his adult life.

2. She has 5 kids. As a VP how involved is she going to be able to be in their lives? Is her husband going to become Mister Mom? What's the plan? She wouldn't be around very much. It's not like being a VP of a small company, it's the U.S.of A. for crying out loud!

And this sad news just in:

3. Her 17 year old daughter is 5 months pregnant.

All of the above, in my opinion, means that Sarah Palin has unfortunately put her political aspirations above the good of her family. Honestly, she needs to be there for her family big time right now. Not gone for 8 weeks on the campaign trail. Not holding the position of V.P. for 4 years.

Yes, women should run for political office, but not at the cost of their families. If McCain had the same stuff going on in his family, I'd say the same thing. Pull back and regroup and make sure your family is healthy first.

Our children are our responsibility, our legacy, our priority. Sarah Palin needs to remember that.

P.S. McCain can kiss the Presidency good-bye. He knew that Palin's daughter was pregnant. He's been in politics since dinosaurs roamed the earth. He had to know what a fire storm this would cause. He and Palin have exposed that poor girl to nationwide ridicule and viciousness. McCain made this decision for purely political reasons in a desperate bid to look more "current" than Obama. McCain had a lot more experienced people (women included) to pick from. If his judgement is this poor when it counts the most, I am worried what his judgement would be like as President.

P.P.S. Do they still have write-in votes???