I Get It. You're Tired of Me.

I have been extraordinarily vocal lately on Facebook. And some of my friends and followers disagree with a lot of what I've had to say. I mean ... a lot.

And I'm okay with that.

But here's the thing: a large majority of my FB friends are Christians. And as Christians we all say truth is important. The Bible refers to the devil as "the father of lies," (John 8:44) and nobody wants to say they're a child of Satan, right?

Then why do we, as Christians, turn away from truth regarding racism? We're like the rich young man who goes away "disheartened" because he didn't like what Jesus told him. Didn't like what Jesus had to say about the way to heaven, so he walked away. (Mark 10:17-27)

What about the Jews who took things a whole lot further and crucified our Lord and Savior because they didn't like what He said? They murdered the Son of God, friends, because they disagreed with His words.

And boy, are we quick to paint those people with a brush filled with ignorance, hatred, and sin.

Why do you suppose they reacted the way they did? Do you think maybe it was because they recognized, if they listened and learned the truth, they'd have to admit they were sinners? I mean, we all say that, right? We quote Romans 3:23 as easily as we might say pass the potatoes at dinner. But when we quote it ... let me rephrase that ... when I quote it, am I putting my name in there? For I have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God. When I get down to the nitty-gritty, the heart of the matter, saying out loud (or even in my head) that I've sinned against the Lord gives me a squirmy feeling. A shameful feeling. A broken, sad feeling.

And I don't like feeling squirmy, ashamed, broken, and sad. So I might get a little defensive. I might get angry. I might point out that my sin was a long time ago, so you should just get over it. I might even deflect by pointing out someone else's sin, maybe yours.

Hard truths are just that. Hard.

Guess what, friends. Racism is a sin. It just is. I can give you book, chapter, and verse to support that statement, but do I really need to?

I'll be the first to admit a lot of my views and beliefs have changed over the past couple of years. I used to think Black people should let a lot of things go. I thought they were imagining slights where none were intended. I thought slavery was so long ago, and none of the Black people I know actually were slaves, nor did they actually come from Africa, so they should get over it and move on.

And then I started to read. And listen. And then I asked questions. And I listened some more. And I researched. I learned. I learned some hard and ugly truths about race in this country. I learned the history of some of those "imagined" slights, and learned they came from some dark and ugly places.

I don't claim to have all the answers. And no, I don't believe every single thing out there is racist. However, after I started reading, listening, and learning, I realized how many of those popular social media posts were based on a lot of information that's just flat wrong or misleading or out of context. You want examples of what I'm talking about? Buckle up, Buttercup.

• The image of white people picking cotton that says it's not about race? White people absolutely picked cotton. My daddy picked cotton. The difference is Daddy was paid for his work. The difference is, if he didn't work hard enough, the worst that would happen was he'd get fired ... not beaten or sold away from his family. The difference is he wasn't owned by another human being who considered him no more than an animal or property.
• The memorials to Jews who died at Auschwitz? They honor the Jews who were murdered, not the Nazis who murdered them. Confederate memorials honor men who fought to keep their fellow human beings enslaved not the people who actually were enslaved. You want memorials in the south? Fine. Keep the shackles that were placed on the necks of slaves making it impossible for them to leave. Keep the records showing how many children born into slavery were the product of rape by white slave owners. Keep the whips and whipping posts stained with the blood of countless slaves whose biggest "crime" was believing they deserved to be treated with dignity.
• Posts and comments about reparations? "You all got 40 acres and a mule. Get over it." But did they get that land? That mule? Have you ever researched to see just how many freed slaves got that 40 acres? And by the way, the mule was never a part of the order; a lucky few just happened to get retired military mules. Research of the facts tells us that yes, some freed slaves did receive 40 acres of land ... at first. After Abraham Lincoln's assassination, however, President Andrew Johnson reversed the order, leaving many Black families homeless.
• Posts about how slavery was so long ago and Black people should stop whining and get over it? (That phrase comes up a lot, doesn't it?) When is the last time you saw or heard a German citizen telling a Jew they should just get over the Holocaust?
• Posts stating "All Lives Matter?" Yep. They do. But when is the last time your life was in danger because of the color of your skin? When is the last time you gave your child a list of rules when they left the house--"Don't put your hands in your pockets. Don't wear a hoodie. If you buy something, even a pack of gum, make sure you have a receipt when you leave the store." Yes, all lives absolutely matter, but all lives are not in danger.

Those are just a few of the things I've seen on social media lately. I've commented on some of them, and when I have, I've tried to remain respectful and give specific information, rather than just spewing my opinion or posting memes that don't really address the truth of the situation.

Racism is a hard truth, friends. I've had to take a long, painful look at my own life, my long-held beliefs, my heart. And you know what I've learned? I was wrong. Wrong about a lot of things. I believed a lot of things because I'd heard them repeated so many times. Wrong about things because of my own ignorance. I may not have been overtly racist, but I certainly wasn't not a racist, which is just as wrong. Just as sinful.

So you can be tired of me, because I'm not going to shut up just to make you like me or feel better. You can unfriend me, unfollow me, keep scrolling past me. You can even keep telling me those same things I used to believe, and I will respond to you with respectful truths.

Or you can do some reading, some listening, some questioning, and some learning. In this age of technology, most of us have a veritable library of research materials at our fingertips. Just use it. Challenge yourself to open your heart and your mind to the possibility you might be wrong. Don't do it for me. Don't even do it for Black people. Do it for your heart. Your soul.

EDIT: A comment was left on this post basically calling me a bigot because I said the Jews murdered Christ. Although, technically, it was the Roman government that carried out the crucifixion, scripture makes it clear their actions were the result of pressure from the Jews. Peter, in Acts 2, specifically tells his Jewish audience they killed Jesus. I don't hold all Jews responsible for the death of Christ any more than I believe all white people are intentional, raging racists. To read this blog and only take away a single mistaken understanding means my point was completely missed.

An Open Letter for the First Day of School

I usually start my blog with a scripture, but not today. And it's probably a little more than a #60seconddevo. See, I don't have a single verse today. Today's blog is an open letter--specifically to my daughter, but also to all students who start school tomorrow, whether it's pre-K or, like Chloe, your senior year of high school.

So here we go. Some things I'd like to tell you:

Remember who you are. My grandmother admonished my dad with that phrase when he was young. Dad admonished my older siblings and me. I have admonished you and your brother. You are, first and foremost, a child of the King. You belong to Him, and you represent Him. "And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him." (Colossians 3:17) You also represent your father and me (and yes, your Mo and Papaw, even though they're no longer with us). You are an ambassador for Christ (2 Corinthians 5:20).

Find joy this year. "A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones." (Proverbs 17:22) Remember God is always good. Always. You may have days in which you don't think you have any reason to be happy or joyful. Make it a point to count your blessings on those days. I promise you'll find some reasons to be happy. Because God is always good.

Don't forget how incredible you are. Not because you're pretty or smart (although I believe you are both of those and more). No, you're incredible just by virtue of being a creation of the true and living God. Remember, "I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well." (Psalm 139:14) You are an amazing young woman, and you need to remember that.

Always be kind. I know you've had friends in the recent past who've turned out not to be friends at all. One of the people you believed you could count on told lies about you. Some of your friends ghosted you after that. Turned out not to be loyal. Don't let those people make you bitter. Don't let your experiences make you distrustful. "Put on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience ..." (Colossians 3:12) Treat others--all others--the way you want to be treated (Matthew 7:12), no matter how others may treat you.

Suck it up. I know. You hate it when I say that. But sometimes, no matter how hard you work, in spite of doing everything right, people and situations and life in general will knock you down. And you have a choice. You can stay down and get trampled. Or you can get up and keep going. You are stronger than you think, but there is One even stronger, and He holds you in His hands. "You are a hiding place for me; you preserve me from trouble; you surround me with shouts of deliverance." (Psalm 32:7) He will help you.

Pray. All the time. No power on earth is stronger than the power of a sincere conversation with God. Praise Him in your victories, thank Him for your blessings, cry out to Him when you're hurting. "Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing praise. Is anyone among you sick? Let him call for the elders of the church, and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord. And the prayer of faith will save the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up. And if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working." (James 5:13-16) Just pray.

Make new friends. Everyone needs friends. "And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:12) And you never know; you may be the person who saves someone else's life ... just by being a friend.

Listen to your parents. I'll tell you a little secret: I know stuff. Doesn't mean I'm smarter than you are, but the simple number of my years means I've experienced things you have not. "A wise son hears his father's instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke." (Proverbs 13:1) If you listen to me, I may be able to save you from mistakes or heartache.

And finally, my sweet girl, be brave. God is always with you. He loves you even more than I do. And with Him, you can be a warrior. "What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be[i]against us? He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? As it is written, “For your sake we are being killed all the day long;     we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.” No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Romans 8:31-39) Be brave.

I Put My Trust in Him

"When I am afraid,
    I put my trust in you." (Psalm 56:3)

You might have noticed I've been a little slack in blogging for about the past week. I've been a little stressed about a couple of things. That's not a good reason, but it's my excuse.

Anyway, stress aside, I'm generally a positive, upbeat person. In the face of problems, I look for silver linings. It's just who I am. So in the midst of busyness and stress and concerns about a million different things, I got up this morning, ready to start my day. Normally, I work from home on Fridays, but I'm working on a particular project, and I needed to get some things done at the office. I wasn't totally happy about it--I do love my Fridays working from home, often in my pajamas.

And honestly, I had a lot of things on my mind and on my heart, including my husband. You see, he woke up with the right side of his face paralyzed. Now I'm not the kind to panic. so we talked about our options. He already had an appointment with a dermatologist, but we debated him going to our primary care to see if they could work him in. He decided to stick with the dermatologist. I told him to call me as soon as he saw the doctor.

The first thing I saw when I walked into the office was our prayer wall. And on the whiteboard where our sweet "Office Mom" writes scriptures ... "When I am _________, I put my trust in Him." I stopped where I was and pulled up the Bible app on my phone to look it up.

Long story short, my husband called. The doctor was sending him to the ER. We still don't have all the answers about what's going on with him, but all day--from the time I saw the passage on that board, all the way up to right now when I'm listening to the live stream of the Westside church of Christ's Youth Lectures--that verse has stayed with me. It's brought me peace and comfort. It's reassured me. It's reminded me Who is in control and that I don't have to worry about everything.

And silver linings? Well, I have two kids who stepped up to the plate and took care of some things I usually handle. The MRI ruled out a stroke. Through the marvels of modern technology, I'm able to watch and listen to the Youth Lectures, which is one of my favorite events of the year. And finally, if I hadn't had a big project at the office, I wouldn't have had that scripture smack me in the face. And I wouldn't have gone outside and seen that picture right down there, the clouds above my neighbor's house reflecting the sunrise.

God is good. All the time.

Always Yes in Christ

"For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, whom we proclaimed among you, Silvanus and Timothy and I, was not Yes and No, but in him it is always Yes." (2 Corinthians 1:19)

I intended to write a completely different blog. Had it all planned in my head. But when I went to copy the verse I had in mind from the Bible site I use, this verse spoke to me.

I'm not much of a planner. And when I do make plans ... say, for a specific blog, I sometimes change them. I change my mind. I know I'm not the only one. I know a certain teenage girl who changes her plans and her mind on a basis that might be dizzying to lesser parents. (I'm kidding; it makes me dizzy, too.)

So isn't it reassuring to know in Christ, the answer is yes? Not maybe. Not I've-changed-my-mind-today. But yes.

I know a lot of people fall into the mistake of believing God is some genie who'll grant your wishes. The prosperity gospel, as it were. But asking for wealth, for material things (not necessities, mind you) isn't what God's yes is for.

BUT ... when we come to Him asking for forgiveness, for salvation, for peace, comfort, wisdom--anything we ask according to His will--the answer is, and will always be YES.

Because God wants to forgive me. He wants me to have peace and comfort. He definitely wants me to have wisdom. And salvation? He wants me to be saved so much He gave His son to die in my place.

So the next time you change your plans, stop. Take a few minutes to thank God for His steadfast love and mercy.

Worship Matters

"Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, for our God is a consuming fire." (Hebrews 12:28-29)

Have you ever wondered about that phrase "acceptable worship?" Sometimes I see things that make me question the world's definition of worship.

The dictionary defines worship in two ways. First, as a noun, meaning the feeling or expression of reverence or adoration for a deity. Second, it's defined as a verb, meaning to show reverence and adoration for a deity, or to honor with religious rites.

Nowhere in either of those definitions did I see I, me, or my. In other words, worship isn't about me. It's about God. The Father. The Son. The Spirit.

I hear a lot these days about the reasons young people are leaving the faith. I read articles about all the things churches need to do to attract and keep people. I've seen churches that offer every kind of entertainment imaginable. I know people who complain about not getting anything out of going to church.

But honestly? God never told us it was for our pleasure or entertainment, did He? He demanded man worship Him, and He demanded that worship be according to His desires, His rules, not ours. Don't get me wrong. I take great pleasure and joy in worshiping God. But I also believe the congregation I belong to follows the Bible in our ways of worship.

I mean, shouldn't we learn something from Leviticus 10? Was it really "strange fire" that caused the deaths of Nadab and Abihu? Or was it, perhaps, the disobedience represented by that strange fire? Was it because they didn't follow the Lord's directions for worship?

And shouldn't that give us all pause? Shouldn't it make us question if our worship is pleasing to God ... or only pleasing to us?

Worship matters. The Who and the how. And we should pray we're always doing it in the way God's word shows us, whether through direct commandment or inferred by example.

Is our worship for us? Or for God?

It matters.

Barricades and Confidence

"Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need." (Hebrews 4:16)

I want you to use your imagination for a minute.

Imagine you're visiting Washington D.C. You want to go visit the president of the United States. You mosey on up to the fence, hop over, and head on up for a little chat with the man in the Oval Office. And then you find yourself face down on the White House lawn with a mouthful of grass and the knee of a Secret Service agent in your back.

New scenario.

You're in London, and you want to see if Queen Elizabeth is as gracious as she seems. Again, you wander on up to the gate and slip past those guards. Now bear with me, because I've never been to London, so I don't know exactly what would happen. I'm pretty sure, however, you'd end up face down again, just like you did on the White House lawn.

The thing is, your reason for wanting to see the POTUS or the queen doesn't matter. Those security guys don't care. They're going to tackle first and ask questions later. And oh, boy, are they going to have questions. And even if they frisk you and search you and question you for hours, and they determine you're harmless, guess what.

They're still not letting you in.

Now imagine going before the throne of God. You just ... walk right in. You sit down at His feet. You tell Him how thankful you are for all the blessings He's given you. You pour out your heart to Him. Your worries, your cares, your fears. And then the security guards come and drag you out of ...

No. Nobody comes to take you away. He listens. He takes every word you've spoken into His heart. There are no guards. No barricades. Not even a fancy velvet rope to keep you away.

No, the only thing keeping you from approaching God on His throne ... is you.

What's stopping you?

Mirror, Mirror

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'” (1 Samuel 16:7)

Am I the only person who believes that verse should be inscribed on every mirror sold? At the top of every page in fashion magazines? Tagged as a disclaimer to every YouTube makeup tutorial?

Because let's be honest: we live in a world consumed with physical appearances. Oh, I realize beauty, as they say, is in the eye of the beholder. For example, my husband thinks I'm gorgeous. I think he should have his eyes checked. Seriously, I appreciate his affection, but I also know it's not only my appearance he loves.

Oh, how I wish we could convince young people how much more important the heart is than that image they see in a mirror. 

In a world obsessed with beauty (and who determines that, anyway?), it's almost impossible to convince young people of this truth. But I believe we, as parents, aunts, uncles, mentors, teachers, and even friends, must continue to reinforce it. 

Just this evening at dinner, my family and I were discussing (okay, there might have been some arguing going on, too) this very topic. We talked about how the media pushes certain images, telling us that's how we should look. Wear those clothes, that hairstyle, that makeup--even perfumes and colognes imply wearing them will make us more appealing, more attractive--dare I say it? Sexier.

So here's a question for any young person who might be reading this: Why are you listening to a group of people who are, for the most part, amoral? Godless. Self-absorbed. Concerned only with selling. Selling clothes, hair products, makeup, fragrance, more magazines. Selling to you. They don't care about you, only the contents of your wallet.

How about, instead, listening to God's word? How about understanding--and believing--your heart is the one thing, the only thing that matters to God?

And at the risk of sounding naive, I've always believed when you make the inside beautiful, the outside disappears. So the next time you look in the mirror, ask yourself what God sees?