Those words keep coming to mind. Pretty much over and over since the early 90s. More so today in the political climate that engulfs us all. No one is totally right and we’re all wrong when we put ourselves first. Our government was created to keep things in balance and equal so no one party or branch of government would have too much power and control. That actually made folks work together way back when. They’d take ideas and dreams and goals and figure out a way to make them work for the country.
These days its “I’m right and you’re wrong” and lots of yelling and telling folks what to do and there’s no listening or working together unless someone thinks and acts exactly like you do. When did we stop listening to each other and just start yelling?
This past weekend was just that. Folks were yelling supposedly peacefully about having “no kings,” while others were all excited about a military parade and birthday party. Frankly, I didn’t pay attention to either one but saw glimpses of each on social media and muted news sites. There were some of both sides mixed in with each get-together but all each side wanted to do was cause a ruckus at each other’s gathering.
I saw a video of a big truck blowing smoke at the no kings bunch. That made me sad. What does that even prove? That you’re pretty dog gone mean and stupid and you’re trying to harm folks who are – no matter what side of the aisle you’re on – are out exercising their freedom of speech and gathering. Now I don’t want a king, nor do I want an all-out taxpayer-funded birthday party. I would like to get along and listen to a powerful, yet humble and smart guy whose finger is close to that nuclear bomb button.
I don’t mind a small military parade to show pride and celebrate the “birthday” of a military branch. We need to be proud of our men and women who sacrifice and serve. An estimated 250,000 folks were in D.C. for the event. While scouring the Internet for a trusted news source, I find so-called journalists on both sides of that number poking at it. Hey, it was Father’s Day weekend, so I’m sure a lot of dads who could have been at both events weren’t because it’s our weekend to do whatever we want or need to do, and being political wasn’t on the list. I was working baseball games and hanging out at our condo pool with the broken heater. Oh, and a neighbor passed away in the midst of all this. I just smile, shake my head, and quietly whisper, bless your heart, praying that Jesus and the Holy Spirit will hold my tongue and help me focus on what really does matter – loving folks, even the ones you don’t want to love, but that’s why we need Jesus. If it were easy, we’d all be doing it, and there’d be a whole lot fewer problems in the world. Don’t blow smoke at folks but ask them why they believe what they believe and are doing what they’re doing. Then pray some more and search for a way to get along.
Jesus is the only King at the end of the day. And we all do need that one.
