We can't all be right....we just can't.

Christians struggle with how others see them. Anyone who understands who Jesus is and what he did and why he did it would understand that he came to bring life, and to make it more abundant. Loving your neighbor as yourself is just one of the things  he calls us to do, but he EMPHASIZES it.

Now when I saw the pic of the girl in front of Hobby Lobby holding a Chick-fil-A cup and wearing a pro life shirt, I giggled. I can only imagine the reaction of some to this picture. Then she came back and posted a pic of herself in front of the flag holding a gun and a Bible. The thing is - that does not necessarily make her a Christian. Her goal was a reaction...and she got it. I say she handled it exactly as she should have...she understands the extreme reactions that occur...hopefully on both sides of the partisan line. And she was using it to make a fuss. And it worked. (smile)

What has burdened me most about these memes...both the ones that reflect conservative beliefs as well as the ones that reflect liberal beliefs is the lack of concern and lack of  human feeling that is behind them. There is a type of respect we seem to have forgotten in our radical grip on what we see as "right". We have forgotten that there is a dignity and basic concern we should show to each other when it comes to what we hold near and dear. We cannot keep our mouths shut when it comes to having to listen to someone who believes differently than us. I have seen people attack and be bitterly offensive in their defense of their own philosophies. There is no need for that. There is no need to be mean, to belittle, to offend others by a knee jerk reaction to their idea of what is right. Just because they believe it does not mean it is so. BUT  - by listening and being respectful, who knows? We might find a grain of truth that leads us to more of a balanced place.

What has made my heart heavy the most is that both sides think the other is evil. And that is just not so. There are good hearts and fine people behind even the most bewildering of beliefs. Do I always agree with them? No. Do I have to belittle or make them feel small because I think I am right and that they are wrong? No. I do not. I want America to stay free. I want you to be able to worship the way you want. I want to continue to worship the way I want. I want to be able to express ideas that may differ from yours and I want you to be able to express yours as well.

What kills me is we act as if we want to deny others the consideration of free thought and worship, all because we want to be - right - the one who gets it, the one who truly understands how things should be. But we all have this desire and we all are a little different. And there cannot be one idea that is considered any more important or worth less than our own. Or we risk the loss of this valuable right.

What I call others to do is to find respect, if not for the person, then for that person's freedom to express themselves. Do I think it was right for the person who compared Holly Hobby up there to Reem Riyasha the Hamas jihadist? No. I think it was mean spirited and way off base, but it was their right. I shrug my shoulders and move on. Quite frankly I think Holly Hobby was a little less than classy to do hers as well. It made me laugh a little, because - dang - those things do seem to set folks off.

My goal here...is not to try to smooth things over. Being different is no big deal. Being kind, respectful and considerate of those no matter what they believe - is. Our country seems to be imploding sometimes and it is seems it might be because we all think we are right....

and that cannot be right.

Balance people...find it.

.....and find the gumption to protect freedom. Not to protect your own ideas. They are not always as important as you think they are.