Politics, Religion, and Ice Cream...Sort Of....

 It's been a really rough few years, and I don't see it getting any easier any time soon. Everyone has had a challenge of some kind before 2020 even happened, for sure, but it certainly added an element of disaster that changed everyone in some way. While I don't like to focus on all the negativity, I can say with certainty that many of us are not the same people we were before the world changed us physically, emotionally, socially, scholastically, politically, economically, and spiritually, among so many other ways. I can't begin to list them all properly, as I haven't personally experienced the trauma that has gone on around me, but it can certainly be felt and seen. 

Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. Colossians 3:2 

I think back to how I personally could have handled things better in each of those categories, and I know I could have done better and I continue to seek ways to do better now and in the future. Hindsight is 20/20, after all, ironically. And maybe that's the key for all of us in order to move forward in each category-ask ourselves what we could have and should have done better, and what we can do now in ourselves to make a positive change for the better. While I'm not a "woo woo" kind of person, I do believe that any change does begin with an intention and a decision, and rarely do we change because someone forces us to, or coaxes it out of us. 

Rarely will I change my opinion, my beliefs, or even my eating habits, just because of the strong opinions or coaxing of others. Does that ever work for you? Probably not, or rarely, and if it does, it's because that person carries some major weight and wisdom in our lives. Even still, we must desire it first, and set an intention to change our lives because we want to do it for ourselves and no one else.  Hence, the state of the world today. There are a lot of people who think they are right, and will continue to fight for it even if it means hurting everyone in their path. If everyone does that, no one wins. That's kind of where the world is right now. It is where personal relationships also end up, in many cases. It's where countries are and some will go.  

It's where we will all be, and as much as I believe God is the answer, there are so many who say, "God who?" or blame God for not intervening in some of these atrocities. And still so many on various other paths who believe in God, but can't agree on what that means, what that looks like, and how to come together in that belief. I've heard from a few Christians who feel that the church has failed the people during this difficult time, and I've heard former and non-believers express very extreme opinions on Christianity that do not reflect my experiences or beliefs/practices at all. Can I just deduce that it has been an incredibly difficult time to exist as a person, and we all have some gentle sorting to do. 

Remember the former things of old; for I am God, and there is no other, I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things not yet done, saying, 'My counsel shall stand, and I will accomplish all my purpose.' Isaiah 46:9-10 ESV 

We can be selfish beings, and it shows. I'm guessing I don't need to provide examples. Just watch the news and you'll see it every day. Take a drive and you'll experience it. Some people just don't care about the rights of others, and it has seemingly become worse due to the last couple of years. People are arguing in churches, schools, communities, families, and everywhere about everything, and it has become a battleground to even say what we think, let alone what we believe. We are walking timebombs, walking on landmines, it seems, and some of us are stepping gingerly, while others continue to stomp. When will we find peace in all of this mess? How can we be different than what we see out "there"?

Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you. 2 Corinthians 13:11

I also believe we are giving, caring beings.  There are some highly considerate, sensitive people here who listen and don't take everything to heart. I believe those are the people we can count on for real change. They are the ones who can take all the chaff out and keep the grain and see the best in everything no matter what is happening. They are the ones who can find the helpers in a storm because they aren't all caught up in the chaos. Even if we are those chaos-glass wearing people now, I believe we can become the helpers if we change the way we look at the world as a whole, and accept people as the same flawed beings that we are, just trying to figure things out, with too many life-changing hits going on at once. Life may have been very difficult for people prior to 2020, and then things were made so much worse. Not everyone is prepared for that type of a load. Some people are crushed by it. 

The Lord himself goes before you and will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Deuteronomy 31:8 

We all handle heartache and loss differently. 2020, no matter how people acted, was a time of devastation, heartache and loss. Some people responded with anger because that's how they've been conditioned to respond to those kinds of emotions, and this was a completely new and helpless situation. If anything, we should have all learned about grace, but if some haven't yet, it's hopefully coming. Grace will help the stragglers get through all the nasty emotions 2020 left behind. I labeled my grace, "Covid Grief", because we lost two family members, and it affected everyone uniquely. It's a different kind of grief because the world doesn't ever let you forget what's happening. It's on the news, in the stores, it's everywhere, and the division it caused drove the grievers into unrelenting silence about their own loss. So when grieving the loss, it's a cruel and constant reminder, and a much different healing path for those going through it. To see this was to teach me to be more aware of all the other unique situations and emotions involved surrounding 2020, and to be open to learning instead of judging. We can open our eyes and our minds and become helpers instead of those who contribute to the hurt, even unknowingly. This is how we affect change in ourselves and eventually others. 

I believe we are capable of evoking a change in people, but that it takes kindness and forgiveness to allow it to take place. When people of opposite faiths can be friends and find things in common, or when people who don't agree on political platforms understand that they can still get along, and when people can stop judging each other long enough to see the damage that judging does. When people stop judging others, period, we can allow each other to just care about each other and rest in that. When compassion wins out over controversy, amazing things can happen. 

There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor? James 4:12 

I have felt very judged, and therefore was released from friendship, and quite honestly, I'll just say this-it's a bunch of hooey. Who were they to decide that my thoughts and opinions were "less than", and therefore, I don't measure up, and I belong in the trash bin? Is that what we do with people we've known for years? Do we talk to other people behind their backs and whisper, "I think she's a Democrat!" All the while, clutching pearls and fainting on couches. My goodness, what a world we've become when we can't even come to our so-called friends and ask actual questions because we're too afraid of the answers. 

Not one person asked me one important question, which leads me to believe a lot of assumptions have been made due to my dislikes of certain political things and people. Hello, we are allowed to dislike people and politics. It's just not fair when I did it, I suppose. (sarcasm intended) It was normalized way before 2020, and it seems even more commonplace now, but we have to get to a point where it stops dividing and hurting people. We will always be very different people with very different beliefs, but why does that have to be the MOST important thing? Yes, certain issues are very important, and some more important than others, but why the vitriol? Why the spewing of hate? Why the disconnect? It's not a bubble we live in where all of our friends are just like us and we want to all think alike to stay comfy. But I think that's the goal of many. I agree, it's a great feeling to be validated, but there's no learning, and you won't grow or advance in your knowledge.  A plant doesn't grow in the shade. They have to endure a lot of hot sun, cold nights, rain, and pests to produce good fruit. Maybe some people just don't desire growth, I don't know. One of my friends challenges me. If I say something wrong, I know I'm going to get a lesson and let me tell you, I don't forget it. I'm a changed person for it. We need to actually crave people who change us for the better, not avoid them or clip them from the vines in our lives. 

What is more important to me than politics will ever be is my family. If you were to drive past my house, you won't see any type of political promotional signs because we don't support candidates of any party. But when my daughter graduated from college, we had a sign made with her name on it, because she graduated in 2020 without a ceremony, and she's one of the MOST important and influential people in my life whom God has entrusted to me. If you see signs in front of our house, they will be supporting people that I love. Not hate or anti-anyone or anything, not using profanity, and not supporting politics. Will I ever see any politician as someone to worship? Not while I'm still breathing. No human should be worshipped, yet here we are. Between politicians and celebrities, it's pretty ridiculous what we consider worthy of our worship. I suppose that's me being "judgy", but also factual. I only worship God. He's the only One worthy of my worship. People can be really wonderful, but you want to be careful not to place anyone on a pedestal or think they are the ones who can save or ruin the world. Only God has that kind of power and we are not to worship anyone but Him. 

But Peter and the apostles answered, "We must obey God rather than men. Acts 5:29 

When people are willing to have open and honest discussions instead of leaving when they make wrong assumptions, a couple of things can happen. One, they learn something, which can be good or bad, depending on their perception and openness. Two, they give respect to the person in that relationship that they invested in all those years. It says they care enough to discuss hard topics maturely instead of getting angry and deciding that person is no longer worthy of their time. And maybe if they'd ask questions instead of suppose, assume, and judge, they may just learn a little something new and surprising about someone besides their own self. Just a thought. I'm actually not a Democrat, but if I was, so what? Are we through? I know Democrats who don't vote straight ticket because they don't believe every single thing that every Democrat believes, and yet that blows the minds of some. Really? My dad didn't subscribe to every Democrat belief either, yet no one ever asked him, just judged him for what he wasn't.  My husband is a mixed voter as well, just like me. It's like only believing one thing, one way, your whole life. I don't think that way. I can't even imagine it. It's like only eating one flavor of ice cream for the rest of my life! No can do, my friends. There are some things I like better that Republicans support, and some that Democrats believe. It's just called being an American and having the right to vote the way you choose, but my goodness, there are some people who would fall over dead if you told them this. Does this blog need a trigger warning?? 

As an Independent, I can vote however I want for whoever I want in any party, based on how I feel they are prepared to handle the office they are running for or for what and who they support or don't support. I get to choose based on what I feel, not what any one party decides FOR me. It's my right as an American to vote red, blue, purple, green, fuschia, or not at all. I don't have to be one or the other or anything, and if you want to be mad about it, that's your right too, but it's kind of silly, if you ask me. But you didn't, so...please vote however YOU want, but don't vote just because you think that's the way you have to or that's the way you're being told, or good ole Uncle Pete told you that's what you have to do. We just have so much information available to us now, and some of it is actually close to being true. (LOL My oh my, she's snarky today). Just please don't lose friends and family over something like politics, because in the grand scheme of all things holy, life is way, way more important than this. 

Being a Republican or a Democrat should not mean someone should make you feel ashamed or arrogant or loud or quiet or whatever about the party you follow. Yet, people have become either closeted or explosive about such things due to the vitriol surrounding political beliefs and parties as of late.  It also should not mean you subscribe to EVERY single belief of the party, yet, people make assumptions and judgments and suppositions, so there you go. It is actually possible to open your mind enough where new ideas can creep in, and your brain can't fall out, you learn that people with other beliefs, thoughts, and opinions are actually NOT your enemy, and life goes on without the constraints of hate and judgment. But those are just my opinions and personal judgments, of course. I choose peace. I choose connection. If I hadn't hung out with people "different than me", I may never have become a Christian, and let me tell you, even Christians differ, one from another. Don't try to label and stereotype us either. I can say all the same things about religion that I've said about politics. We all know how touchy these subjects are, and yet, is anyone really having meaningful conversations or just assumptions about them? We are all like ice cream flavors in some ways too. Don't get me started. But if you did, it would be a really great conversation! 

The times have shown us that there are many people who are sworn to keep this country divided. I will not be a part of that. Not EVERY Republican is ___________(fill in the blank), and not EVERY Democrat is_______________(fill in the blank), not every Christian is _______________,etc... and it's high time we stop with the stereotypes and garbage that has landed us here. We need a voice of reason, and I can only think of One that can actually make a difference here on earth. Let us keep HIS voice as the primary voice of reason in our hearts and minds. 

Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people whom he has chosen as his heritage. Psalm 33:12 

Be blessed and get out and enjoy some ice cream, wherever you are. In Michigan it is HOT this week!