LOVE at God's Table

With so much division and hatred in the world, and the U.S. in particular, Jesus' message of 'love your neighbor' has never been more applicable. 

Logging onto Facebook or other social media platforms can feel like a mind field, where we're forced to tiptoe through comments and posts that continue to keep us divided. What ever happened to disagreeing without demoralizing the person with a counter opinion? People are ending friendships over opposite viewpoints. 

I have chosen to stay out of the debates. And have been chastised for that as well. Apparently, I'm part of the problem if I don't engage in all the hostilities. There is a difference between burying your head in the sand and choosing not to dig yourself into a grave. Why bury myself in darkness and division when there is a better choice?

I want to be a light on the hill. Love in the midst of hatred. Kindness in places where people are feeling kicked to the curb for their beliefs. 

What can we do today, as Princess Warriors of the most High King? How about we put into practice those practical things that make a difference but are really quite simple, though not always easy to remember when we're walking through a mind field. 

Kind words. A smile. Offering a helping hand. Reminding friends you love them and care. Keeping your own posts focused on the positive in our world. There are so many amazing stories of good deeds and being a good neighbor available if you look for them. The nightly news isn't the best place to find them. 

I called a friend one night to ask how she was doing...what she was doing. Well, she was angry because she was watching the evening news and stewing over the injustices in the world, which there are many. I recommended she take a break from all the negativity and TURN OFF the news. It's one thing to be informed but another to find ourselves enslaved to dining on disaster and discouraging information. Some of us have been downright devouring the never-ending buffet of bad news.

We may need to make a change to our 'diets'. What we feast on, affects our health. What we think on and ponder, can actually become obsessive thinking that thwarts progress and positivity, even enslaving us. 

I want to challenge you too 'see' the amazing goodness and grace found at God's banquet table. Pull up a chair and leave the second-rate buffet behind. God's table offers blessing upon blessing, and there is always enough for everyone. 

 More amazing art by Delores Devlde available for purchase on her Fine Arts Page.

Remembering 9/11

I wrote the following article in 2008. It still stands true today, four years later. 

I can't believe it has been seven years ago that tragedy struck our beloved homeland. Like most people, I can remember exactly where I was that mornng.

Getting ready for work, I'd stepped out of the shower and heard the radio announcer say that the World Trade Center had been hit by a plane. At first, it appeared that it might have been a horrible accident. I had to hurry to work, but in the car, as I continued to listen to live news, I realized that this was no accident. Our nation was under attack and no one seemed to know by who.

At work, we all sat open-mouthed in front of the TV speculating about what was going on. World War III was mentioned more than once. Outside the skies were abmormally silent as planes had been banned from flying. Our nation was in shock, mourning, and fear. Yet, there was something else growing beneath the surface and in the hearts of men and women everywhere -- a sense of commonality and love for country -- our country ... a desire to help others and support those who were hurting. People forgot about East Coast/West Coast, we were, after all, one nation under God.

Today, sadly, our nation appears to be split right down the middle, and the political climate is scorching with fiery rhetoric from the right and the left. Our enemy is still out there and we are so busy bickering among each other we have forgotten on some level that we are ONE NATION.

As a Christian woman, I am thankful that I can see meaning and purpose through these dark times. God is still moving and eternity awaits His children. Right now, on this historic day, I choose to love others as God intends. I choose not to engage in political debates. I choose to pray for all our leaders whether I agree with them or not. I choose to honor the brave men and women who are fighting for my freedom here and abroad. I choose to pray for my enemies. May God change their hearts.

For one day, can we just love? I believe we can. God bless you.