I'm going to make a shocking confession. As a woman and as a Christian and as a Christian woman...are you ready?
For nearly 16 years, I HATED the Book of Esther. Ok, hated might be a strong word, or it might be pretty spot on, but the fact is that I really, really disliked a section of the Bible. There was a part of God's word that I didn't want anything to do with.
I had seen over the years that many women fell into the same camp that I was in concerning this particular book. Or they LOVED this book. Something about the book of Esther brings out pretty strong emotions in women.
Recently, I decided that it probably wasn't a good thing to really just not like a book in God's word, so I decided to do something about it. In my own weird, uneducated, not-a-pastor kind of way, I prayed about it and had some things revealed to me about why it might be so hard for women to get the most out of this book.
1. Esther was beautiful. Now, I don't know about you, but beauty makes me uncomfortable. To be someone that people say is beautiful is beyond me. Copious research has been done regarding women and the idea of beauty. Beauty is often seen to be unattainable, unrealistic, or even just impossible. Women, since time began, have used aids to assist in making themselves beautiful. For pity's sake, at one point in history women used arsenic to make themselves pale, which was considered beautiful. Anorexia, bulimia, plastic surgery, air brushed photos, make up, corsets...the list goes on and on of how women have worked to achieve beauty. So when someone is called beautiful it has a tendency to put backs up. Or at least my back.
Do not take me wrong here, beauty is not bad, nor is it impossible to achieve! Beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Perhaps we, as women, need to redefine beauty in order to be more comfortable in our own skin. Perhaps then hearing another woman called beautiful won't make us so uncomfortable.
2. She was like by everyone. My first reaction is...Ugh. She's one of THOSE people. The people no one can say a bad thing about. The one that is good to everyone, makes no waves, offends no one, brings a smile to faces worldwide, and is just...UGH. What is it about those good people that make us roll our eyes and just want to go in the other direction? So many of us have this reaction and questioning ourselves about that is uncomfortable.
Most of us like to think of ourselves as good, decent people. Most of us like to think there are people out there so much worse than ourselves. Thinking anything other than that brings on some pretty intense feelings of guilt or shame. No one likes that, myself included. So why go there? Esther, however, makes us confront that. I figure, though, God put this book in the Bible for a reason. God's not comfortable all the time and neither is His word. I suppose that means I should stop rolling my eyes as I cruise past the book of Esther.
3. She was a good daughter (niece). She did what she was told, she didn't get into trouble, she didn't tell her Uncle to get lost when he asked her to risk her life...the list could go on. Now, I don't know about you but I was NOT the best of kids. Defiant was me. (Don't cringe...I know it's poor grammar...go with it!) You see, Esther just makes us confront all sorts of things about ourselves.
I know this one can be a touchy subject. Not all parents or guardians are good ones. Some are abusive, and some are just plain crazy. We assume that Mordecai is a good man - he's certainly an honest one. At the end of the day though, I'm not always sure that matters. Esther was a good daughter doing what was asked of her, never complaining, belly aching, stomping her feet, refusing or ignoring what was asked of her. I'll admit to you here that after I had kids I apologized for being a terrible daughter and have tried to be better since then. She laughed at me. I'm assuming all is forgiven.
4. She admitted she was afraid. She didn't say it out loud, as least in my version, that she was afraid, but she quietly told her uncle that she could die if she confronted the king. Afterwards she asked the nation of Israel to fast for her and pray. She was scared. She could die and the king could make it very unpleasant. She could say or do the wrong thing and everyone could die anyway. She could fail and there was no one there who could fix it. She was alone and she was afraid, but she wasn't afraid to admit it.
Our culture frowns on admitting to fear. We are supposed to be brave and bold and fearless. We are supposed to look death in the face and laugh. Ok, maybe that's an exaggeration but maybe not. In a culture where women are supposed to be all things, admitting to fear is something we are conditioned not to do. I mean, we don't even admit when we are sick half the time! Tell people we are scared and asking for prayers?? Out of the question. But Ester did it, and Ester is an example for us in the Bible. It just slays us to be confronted with the fact that all this time we could have and should have been admitting to our fears and asking for prayers, but we haven't because the world says we aren't supposed to be afraid. Or maybe it's just me.
There is so much in this short, simple book and yet it has such a strong reaction from women world wide. There is so much we could learn from Esther, but only if we are willing to confront what stands in our way. I pray I find the strength to do so, and to take example from a women God found worthy enough to dedicate a whole book to.
Next time, I'll get into the commands of Esther...stay tuned. :)
Tuesday, June 12, 2018
Wednesday, August 23, 2017
Change Sucks!
I have homeschooled my children for the last five years. For five years I have been mom, teacher, principal, chauffeur, nurse, sound board, cook, and scheduler. For five years I have graded papers, irritated my children with the insistence that they learn and do their best, kept a running tab on their grades, planned curriculum and whatever else goes with the life of having small children. Five years...and now it's over.
No, my kids aren't dead. Thank God. (As I write this, it does put this into perspective just a bit.) My kids have been enrolled in public schools. Shock. Gasp. Public schools!! Ha! Yeah, I know...many of you who know me swore I would never send them back until Common Core died an ugly, loud death. Sadly, CC still lives.
So why are my kids in school? Because God told me to. Now, some of you are going to click off now. That's fine. I'm sure I'll get some advice pointing me to the nearest health care facility. Some of you are going to snicker a little bit and keep reading to see what other insanity I'll claim. Some of you will continue to read because maybe, just maybe, you are hearing His voice too but you just can't wrap your mind around what He's asking you to do. (And because it's good to not be alone.)
Yes, yes. I heard God tell me to put my kids in brick and mortar school. He told me to send them to that place where they will be exposed to all kinds of humanity (and inhumanity). He told me to let them go, fly away free, and He told me to do it with a joyful heart. (I'm working on the heart part.) Granted, with me it was more along the lines of a slap upside the head than a nice, soft voice. I'm pretty dense and set in my way sometimes. So, in spite of all that I know and have learned over the last five years, in the space of 24 hours I put my kids back into public school.
I'm going to be honest: I'm not ok. My house is quiet. Even the dog is a lot more mellow...I guess he misses them too. I have little to fill my days. No dishes to keep up with, no constant parade of laundry, no papers to grade, no little minds to inspire. It's really quite depressing. I still have to get up at 0530. The only difference now is that I don't have two hours to drink my coffee, wake up and goof off before I have to wake up kids. My poor son has to wake up at 6am. Yikes!
This will be my kids 7th day at school. Not that I'm counting or anything. I won't tell you the horror stories of what they have seen and heard. I won't tell you how many times they have had to stand up for themselves. People keep asking me: "Aren't you proud?" Well, sure I'm proud. But honestly, I'd give my left leg for them never to have done any of this.
So, why don't I just pull them out? Homeschool again? Besides the fact that my mother AND mother-in-law would probably hunt my down and hurt me (trust me, it would hurt!), I can't find it in me to bring them home. Not yet. God hasn't told me to yet.
Even my husband wants to bring them home. Every single day we have talked about public vs home and every single day I have to remind him that I believe God is working something amazing. He has a plan. (I personally, at the moment, think it sucks...thankfully God doesn't care about my opinion of His plans!) The Bible tells us that He has a plan. It's a good one...a great one! It's a plan that is meant to bring great things into our lives. It's a plan that promises us no harm. Since the greatest harm is loss of faith, I have to believe that this journey my kids are taking will only strengthen their faith. I have to believe He is turning them into warriors.
That's the goal every Christian parent has for their kids, right? To turn them into warriors for God? To send them out into the world to spread the Good News? To be a light in the dark?
I'm slowly making my way around to believing that God has put them in a place that will grow them. Maybe not educationally, but spiritually. (There's an irony, right? Faith in a public school house!) As I watch my kids stretch and take challenges head on, and then come home and tell us all about it, I am proud. Not because they took on some bully or was polite to a teacher, but because they are showing grace, love, and faith in a place that so desperately needs it.
I never wanted this for my kids. That's right...I did not want my kids to be warriors. I wanted my kids to grow up, safe and sound and secure, and THEN become warriors. I wanted their childhood years to be...free. Perhaps this is God's way of proving to me what I have taught my kids all along: Never let anyone tell you that you are too young to show others the love of God. Maybe my kids' faith surpasses mine, and they are more than ready to be a light. I don't know.
I'm still just sitting here...trying to wrap my mind around the quiet in my house.
No, my kids aren't dead. Thank God. (As I write this, it does put this into perspective just a bit.) My kids have been enrolled in public schools. Shock. Gasp. Public schools!! Ha! Yeah, I know...many of you who know me swore I would never send them back until Common Core died an ugly, loud death. Sadly, CC still lives.
So why are my kids in school? Because God told me to. Now, some of you are going to click off now. That's fine. I'm sure I'll get some advice pointing me to the nearest health care facility. Some of you are going to snicker a little bit and keep reading to see what other insanity I'll claim. Some of you will continue to read because maybe, just maybe, you are hearing His voice too but you just can't wrap your mind around what He's asking you to do. (And because it's good to not be alone.)
Yes, yes. I heard God tell me to put my kids in brick and mortar school. He told me to send them to that place where they will be exposed to all kinds of humanity (and inhumanity). He told me to let them go, fly away free, and He told me to do it with a joyful heart. (I'm working on the heart part.) Granted, with me it was more along the lines of a slap upside the head than a nice, soft voice. I'm pretty dense and set in my way sometimes. So, in spite of all that I know and have learned over the last five years, in the space of 24 hours I put my kids back into public school.
I'm going to be honest: I'm not ok. My house is quiet. Even the dog is a lot more mellow...I guess he misses them too. I have little to fill my days. No dishes to keep up with, no constant parade of laundry, no papers to grade, no little minds to inspire. It's really quite depressing. I still have to get up at 0530. The only difference now is that I don't have two hours to drink my coffee, wake up and goof off before I have to wake up kids. My poor son has to wake up at 6am. Yikes!
This will be my kids 7th day at school. Not that I'm counting or anything. I won't tell you the horror stories of what they have seen and heard. I won't tell you how many times they have had to stand up for themselves. People keep asking me: "Aren't you proud?" Well, sure I'm proud. But honestly, I'd give my left leg for them never to have done any of this.
So, why don't I just pull them out? Homeschool again? Besides the fact that my mother AND mother-in-law would probably hunt my down and hurt me (trust me, it would hurt!), I can't find it in me to bring them home. Not yet. God hasn't told me to yet.
Even my husband wants to bring them home. Every single day we have talked about public vs home and every single day I have to remind him that I believe God is working something amazing. He has a plan. (I personally, at the moment, think it sucks...thankfully God doesn't care about my opinion of His plans!) The Bible tells us that He has a plan. It's a good one...a great one! It's a plan that is meant to bring great things into our lives. It's a plan that promises us no harm. Since the greatest harm is loss of faith, I have to believe that this journey my kids are taking will only strengthen their faith. I have to believe He is turning them into warriors.
That's the goal every Christian parent has for their kids, right? To turn them into warriors for God? To send them out into the world to spread the Good News? To be a light in the dark?
I'm slowly making my way around to believing that God has put them in a place that will grow them. Maybe not educationally, but spiritually. (There's an irony, right? Faith in a public school house!) As I watch my kids stretch and take challenges head on, and then come home and tell us all about it, I am proud. Not because they took on some bully or was polite to a teacher, but because they are showing grace, love, and faith in a place that so desperately needs it.
I never wanted this for my kids. That's right...I did not want my kids to be warriors. I wanted my kids to grow up, safe and sound and secure, and THEN become warriors. I wanted their childhood years to be...free. Perhaps this is God's way of proving to me what I have taught my kids all along: Never let anyone tell you that you are too young to show others the love of God. Maybe my kids' faith surpasses mine, and they are more than ready to be a light. I don't know.
I'm still just sitting here...trying to wrap my mind around the quiet in my house.
Tuesday, June 6, 2017
You're just a big...Fat...PANDA!
I LOVE the Kung Fu Panda series! Just love it. Yes, I'm a grown woman who watches children's movies. So what? HA! Go ahead and laugh...but when I'm done explaining why, you'll never be able to see these movies again without a deep appreciation for them.
Po is a panda (duh, April). A big, fat, flabby, clumsy panda. He's not always real bright and he has the patience of a five year old. That's ok...because what he does, he does with joy! Real joy. Unhinged joy. Blatant, out loud joy. We could all use more joy in our lives.
In the first movie Po is chosen to be Dragon Warrior. Everyone thinks Master Oogway is nuts. Po has no training, is unheard of, and certainly is not anyone's image of the Dragon Warrior. Master Shifu does his best to make him quit because Po does not fit the mental image HE has for who and what the Dragon Warrior should be.
Is this starting to sound familiar? Doesn't this totally sound like real life? Po is about as different as you can get. He's adopted...by a goose. He's nothing like his adopted dad. He's out of shape with a dream to be this amazing martial arts master. He plays with dolls...sorry, action figures...as a grown man...I mean, panda. If we are going to be stereotypical, this man panda should never be anything more than a big kid who works in fast food and lives with his dad.
But he's got a dream and no matter how foolish, or how many people tell him he will never make it, he never gives up. "Because a real warrior never quits!" How can we not want to emulate this goofy panda? Even when his dad tries to discourage him (probably because he doesn't want him to get hurt, and probably a little bit because he's used to having him help in the restaurant), he still, politely, presses on.
The secret in this movie is that "there is no secret ingredient". YOU ARE ENOUGH! No, really, you are enough! You, just the way you are. You with the flabby arms and saggy tummy...you are enough. You with the GED working in an auto repair shop...you are enough. You with the two kids and no spouse and two jobs and never ending pile of bills...you are enough! How awesome a message is that?? Po...flabby, clumsy, and mostly untrained Po was enough to beat the bad guy.
What's interesting is that this, for me, is the same message that God gives us. I am enough to do what He has put me here to do. I am enough for my kids. I am enough for my husband. I am enough for my church. I am enough for the people in my neighborhood. I am enough for my friends. I have to remind myself of this, over and over again because the world is often like Shifu...telling us that we aren't right for the position we are in. We aren't enough or right or what's needed. What nonsense! If God put you there, you are enough. I love that Po is able to prove him wrong and defeat the bad guy (who really is just a big kitty who has lost all joy in life). And I love that Po tries to help Tai Lung understand what he is missing. Too bad he wasn't willing to listen to a panda.
I could go on and on. There are two more movies, and maybe later I'll pull apart the other two. However, I'm just going to mention one more thing. Po is always joyful. Po loves kung fu. Po loves training, even when it hurts. Po loves being able to hang out and learn with his heroes. Po just plain loves life. He might not be able to do all that stuff that those professionals do, but it sure doesn't stop him from getting in there and trying. He's not afraid to start at "level zero" and while he doesn't want to show off his mad skills in front of the masters...well, he works his way up to it! Does he embarrass himself? Sure. Does that make him quit? Nope. Does he take some pain? You know it! Does he quit? Nope. In spite of all this, Po still takes joy in being able to train with the Masters. He doesn't get bitter, and every time a new piece of kung fu is revealed to him, he gets as excited as a toddler with a candy bar.
I love Po for this! We all start at level zero. We all fail. We all fall. We all embarrass ourselves. We all know and have others who are better than we are. But not all of us carry on any way. Not all of us keep our joy. I wish we would. I wish we who are Christian would remember that the joy of the Lord is supposed to keep us going. We can reach people through our joy. We can accomplish so much if we just keep our joy. Not our happy...even Po wasn't always happy. Remember the sacred peach tree? He had his downs. But he never lost his joy. He knew that he still got to do what he always wanted to do.
I should hope that we should have always wanted to serve the Lord and be a part of His miracles. I should hope that we should have always wanted to serve others and be a part in bringing some light to the dark. I should hope that in spite of our ups and downs in this life, that we take joy in remembering what comes next. We are the children of God. Heir to the throne with Christ Jesus as our brother. We will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. And we are bringers of light in a dark world.
Whenever you start to lose your joy, think of Tai Lung. Was he great at Kung Fu? You bet! That kitty was beating people up left and right. He took on all challengers and won...right up until he went against that "big, fat panda". Then he lost. Ever notice that Po smiles and giggles when he's fighting Tai Lung. Even against this opponent who might kill him, he's joyful.
Don't let us be the Tai Lungs of the church. Don't let us lose our joy. Don't let us be ashamed of where we are in life, and don't let us listen to those Master Shifus who tell us we aren't enough. Whenever you are feeling down about your journey with God and you need a silly and quick lift...watch some Kung Fu Panda. I promise it will make you smile...and remember that YOU, yes YOU, are enough in God's plan.
My favorite quote: "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why they call it the present." Master Oogway.
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4: 13-15
Po is a panda (duh, April). A big, fat, flabby, clumsy panda. He's not always real bright and he has the patience of a five year old. That's ok...because what he does, he does with joy! Real joy. Unhinged joy. Blatant, out loud joy. We could all use more joy in our lives.
In the first movie Po is chosen to be Dragon Warrior. Everyone thinks Master Oogway is nuts. Po has no training, is unheard of, and certainly is not anyone's image of the Dragon Warrior. Master Shifu does his best to make him quit because Po does not fit the mental image HE has for who and what the Dragon Warrior should be.
Is this starting to sound familiar? Doesn't this totally sound like real life? Po is about as different as you can get. He's adopted...by a goose. He's nothing like his adopted dad. He's out of shape with a dream to be this amazing martial arts master. He plays with dolls...sorry, action figures...as a grown man...I mean, panda. If we are going to be stereotypical, this man panda should never be anything more than a big kid who works in fast food and lives with his dad.
But he's got a dream and no matter how foolish, or how many people tell him he will never make it, he never gives up. "Because a real warrior never quits!" How can we not want to emulate this goofy panda? Even when his dad tries to discourage him (probably because he doesn't want him to get hurt, and probably a little bit because he's used to having him help in the restaurant), he still, politely, presses on.
The secret in this movie is that "there is no secret ingredient". YOU ARE ENOUGH! No, really, you are enough! You, just the way you are. You with the flabby arms and saggy tummy...you are enough. You with the GED working in an auto repair shop...you are enough. You with the two kids and no spouse and two jobs and never ending pile of bills...you are enough! How awesome a message is that?? Po...flabby, clumsy, and mostly untrained Po was enough to beat the bad guy.
What's interesting is that this, for me, is the same message that God gives us. I am enough to do what He has put me here to do. I am enough for my kids. I am enough for my husband. I am enough for my church. I am enough for the people in my neighborhood. I am enough for my friends. I have to remind myself of this, over and over again because the world is often like Shifu...telling us that we aren't right for the position we are in. We aren't enough or right or what's needed. What nonsense! If God put you there, you are enough. I love that Po is able to prove him wrong and defeat the bad guy (who really is just a big kitty who has lost all joy in life). And I love that Po tries to help Tai Lung understand what he is missing. Too bad he wasn't willing to listen to a panda.
I could go on and on. There are two more movies, and maybe later I'll pull apart the other two. However, I'm just going to mention one more thing. Po is always joyful. Po loves kung fu. Po loves training, even when it hurts. Po loves being able to hang out and learn with his heroes. Po just plain loves life. He might not be able to do all that stuff that those professionals do, but it sure doesn't stop him from getting in there and trying. He's not afraid to start at "level zero" and while he doesn't want to show off his mad skills in front of the masters...well, he works his way up to it! Does he embarrass himself? Sure. Does that make him quit? Nope. Does he take some pain? You know it! Does he quit? Nope. In spite of all this, Po still takes joy in being able to train with the Masters. He doesn't get bitter, and every time a new piece of kung fu is revealed to him, he gets as excited as a toddler with a candy bar.
I love Po for this! We all start at level zero. We all fail. We all fall. We all embarrass ourselves. We all know and have others who are better than we are. But not all of us carry on any way. Not all of us keep our joy. I wish we would. I wish we who are Christian would remember that the joy of the Lord is supposed to keep us going. We can reach people through our joy. We can accomplish so much if we just keep our joy. Not our happy...even Po wasn't always happy. Remember the sacred peach tree? He had his downs. But he never lost his joy. He knew that he still got to do what he always wanted to do.
I should hope that we should have always wanted to serve the Lord and be a part of His miracles. I should hope that we should have always wanted to serve others and be a part in bringing some light to the dark. I should hope that in spite of our ups and downs in this life, that we take joy in remembering what comes next. We are the children of God. Heir to the throne with Christ Jesus as our brother. We will inherit the Kingdom of Heaven. And we are bringers of light in a dark world.
Whenever you start to lose your joy, think of Tai Lung. Was he great at Kung Fu? You bet! That kitty was beating people up left and right. He took on all challengers and won...right up until he went against that "big, fat panda". Then he lost. Ever notice that Po smiles and giggles when he's fighting Tai Lung. Even against this opponent who might kill him, he's joyful.
Don't let us be the Tai Lungs of the church. Don't let us lose our joy. Don't let us be ashamed of where we are in life, and don't let us listen to those Master Shifus who tell us we aren't enough. Whenever you are feeling down about your journey with God and you need a silly and quick lift...watch some Kung Fu Panda. I promise it will make you smile...and remember that YOU, yes YOU, are enough in God's plan.
My favorite quote: "Yesterday is history. Tomorrow is a mystery, but today is a gift. That is why they call it the present." Master Oogway.
Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a year there, carry on business and make money.” Why, you do not even know what will happen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this or that.” James 4: 13-15
Monday, February 22, 2016
Let's be less than perfect
I was looking back through my Facebook posts from over the years and I've noticed a trend. I've noticed that my posts have become less and less real. I've started posting funny sayings, recipes, a few pictures here and there...most of the time I really censor what I'm thinking. I don't let out what I really want to write. I find myself thinking...why?
Why have I suddenly become this person who won't vent to friends and family? Why don't I put out there my failures, frustrations, or just general thoughts? I look around and notice many of my friends doing the same thing...if they even post at all!
I miss hearing from my friends so far away. I miss being able to commiserate with them...I miss being able to joke about the blunders of life. I miss seeing my friends' kids grow up...and I miss learning that they are going through the same craziness that my kids are going through. I miss feeling a real connection to those people I was once closest too.
It's a nasty trend, really, this need to be perfect. It's a horrible habit to indulge in, this need to show the world only the good. And while we are at it, why are we showing the "world" anything? Shouldn't our social media be for those people we actually like and want to hang out with? Shouldn't it be a personal experience where we can talk and show and BE ourselves because we know that we are among friends?
I don't know how it started, but somehow our social media is no longer about keeping up with friends and family, but it's this weird networking thing where we have to constantly be aware of someone "watching" us. Heaven forbid we put something out there about how we want to run away from home, or how our husband was an ass that day, or how our kids were horrible little heathens! Someone might judge us!! Sheesh.
I want to go back to the real. That's right...I went all Morpheus on you. I want to go to the real. That place where I know my friends are going to totally understand that I'm not an alcoholic, but it was a rough day and I want to be able to sleep that night. I want to be able to say my husband is a jerk because he bought himself a book and didn't think to bring me home a Starbucks's coffee. (seriously...that is kinda jerky!) My friends and family will know I'm not going to divorce him and they know I still love him...but man, if I can't vent to friends and family, who can I vent to?
Research is showing that this generation of social media is doing some damage. It's making us anti-social and depressed. More and more people are feeling like less because all that stuff out there that's all happy, and pretty, and perfect. All these people are totally content in their lives, have perfect kids, and bake the world's best cookies. Sure, sure...some people might think they live a blessed life and that's great. FOR THEM. The rest of us need more of "the real".
I think we need more people to put out there the times when they felt like God totally ignored them. Or that time they were pretty sure their kid was going to be in the 3rd grade forever. Or that other time when their kid pitched an absolute fit because you refused to buy the purple socks because they were $3 more! We need more honesty in the world. Tell about those times when you were lonely. Tell about the time you hated life and wanted to move to Brazil. Really. Tell us!
Why should you? Because it will help you and me. You will find more than one ear willing to listen, hands willing to fold in prayer, and more than one person out there is going to make you feel normal by saying "been there, done that". It will help me not feel alone. OH, Hooray! I'm not the only one with kids who might not see their next birthday. Really, your husband forgets when you have an appointment scheduled too? Awesome.
Seriously...let's consider being more open and honest with each other. Are you afraid? Why? I'm not saying that to be snarky, but to really ask...why? Are you worried that the people who read your Facebook page or Twitter account are going to think less of you? Are you worried you are going to spoil some image of yourself?
There are some pretty easy remedies to those fears. No one says you have to keep people on your social media...bump those people that drive you nuts. Delete those who won't support you. Are they family? That one can get touchy...but if it's really driving you nuts...out they go! You are a big girl (or boy) now!! You are so allowed to be your own person. If you are worried about your image...well, maybe you need to ask why? If you have to have this image of perfection out there for the world to see, you might have some issues that need tackling. While no one likes screwing up, or being broken and down...I think we will all be surprised to find out that UN-perfectionism is actually more attractive to other human beings than we thought.
So, there you go...there's my rant. If you actually made it all the way to the end...Thanks! You stuck with me! And I hope when I post on FB that I need a glass of wine...again...that you won't call Child Services, because you will totally understand where I'm coming from! (and no...I'm not drinking the wine so I can use the bottle for some Pinterest craft...that bottle is going in the recycle when I'm done with it!)
Why have I suddenly become this person who won't vent to friends and family? Why don't I put out there my failures, frustrations, or just general thoughts? I look around and notice many of my friends doing the same thing...if they even post at all!
I miss hearing from my friends so far away. I miss being able to commiserate with them...I miss being able to joke about the blunders of life. I miss seeing my friends' kids grow up...and I miss learning that they are going through the same craziness that my kids are going through. I miss feeling a real connection to those people I was once closest too.
It's a nasty trend, really, this need to be perfect. It's a horrible habit to indulge in, this need to show the world only the good. And while we are at it, why are we showing the "world" anything? Shouldn't our social media be for those people we actually like and want to hang out with? Shouldn't it be a personal experience where we can talk and show and BE ourselves because we know that we are among friends?
I don't know how it started, but somehow our social media is no longer about keeping up with friends and family, but it's this weird networking thing where we have to constantly be aware of someone "watching" us. Heaven forbid we put something out there about how we want to run away from home, or how our husband was an ass that day, or how our kids were horrible little heathens! Someone might judge us!! Sheesh.
I want to go back to the real. That's right...I went all Morpheus on you. I want to go to the real. That place where I know my friends are going to totally understand that I'm not an alcoholic, but it was a rough day and I want to be able to sleep that night. I want to be able to say my husband is a jerk because he bought himself a book and didn't think to bring me home a Starbucks's coffee. (seriously...that is kinda jerky!) My friends and family will know I'm not going to divorce him and they know I still love him...but man, if I can't vent to friends and family, who can I vent to?
Research is showing that this generation of social media is doing some damage. It's making us anti-social and depressed. More and more people are feeling like less because all that stuff out there that's all happy, and pretty, and perfect. All these people are totally content in their lives, have perfect kids, and bake the world's best cookies. Sure, sure...some people might think they live a blessed life and that's great. FOR THEM. The rest of us need more of "the real".
I think we need more people to put out there the times when they felt like God totally ignored them. Or that time they were pretty sure their kid was going to be in the 3rd grade forever. Or that other time when their kid pitched an absolute fit because you refused to buy the purple socks because they were $3 more! We need more honesty in the world. Tell about those times when you were lonely. Tell about the time you hated life and wanted to move to Brazil. Really. Tell us!
Why should you? Because it will help you and me. You will find more than one ear willing to listen, hands willing to fold in prayer, and more than one person out there is going to make you feel normal by saying "been there, done that". It will help me not feel alone. OH, Hooray! I'm not the only one with kids who might not see their next birthday. Really, your husband forgets when you have an appointment scheduled too? Awesome.
Seriously...let's consider being more open and honest with each other. Are you afraid? Why? I'm not saying that to be snarky, but to really ask...why? Are you worried that the people who read your Facebook page or Twitter account are going to think less of you? Are you worried you are going to spoil some image of yourself?
There are some pretty easy remedies to those fears. No one says you have to keep people on your social media...bump those people that drive you nuts. Delete those who won't support you. Are they family? That one can get touchy...but if it's really driving you nuts...out they go! You are a big girl (or boy) now!! You are so allowed to be your own person. If you are worried about your image...well, maybe you need to ask why? If you have to have this image of perfection out there for the world to see, you might have some issues that need tackling. While no one likes screwing up, or being broken and down...I think we will all be surprised to find out that UN-perfectionism is actually more attractive to other human beings than we thought.
So, there you go...there's my rant. If you actually made it all the way to the end...Thanks! You stuck with me! And I hope when I post on FB that I need a glass of wine...again...that you won't call Child Services, because you will totally understand where I'm coming from! (and no...I'm not drinking the wine so I can use the bottle for some Pinterest craft...that bottle is going in the recycle when I'm done with it!)
Friday, April 3, 2015
Dear Outraged Christian
Dear Outraged Christian,
I am a Christian too. By that I mean that I believe that Jesus was born as the Son of God, He lived a blameless life, died on the cross, endured hell for us, and then rose from the grave. He is the reason we are able to speak with God. He is the reason we are forgiven. He is the reason we are able to attain heaven.
That being said, I am also a watcher of news. I see the struggle Christians are facing - the choice to serve or not serve gays. Homosexuals. Sinners. Flaunters of God's law. Evil. Bad people. SINNERS!
Wait...did I go too far? That sounded pretty extreme, didn't it? It sounded a lot like hate. Last time I looked God did not command us to hate, but to love. Read an excerpt from Matthew 5:46-48. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
So you see, this is the problem that I have with these outraged Christians in the news. This cry that has gone out to be able to deny service to someone because they have sinned has such a large following it seems. I'll even go so far as to say once I was one of you Outraged Christians. Why should we bake wedding cakes for a sinful wedding? If we do this thing, are we saying we support this sin?
So I ask you, when Jesus allowed a fallen woman to wash his feet, did He support prostitution? When He called Zacchaeus, the tax collector, out of the tree, was He supporting those who rip people off? When He washed the feet of Judas, was He giving the thumbs up to those who sell people out and get them killed?
We as Christians are called to love everyone. Not just those people we are comfortable with, not just those we are easy around, but everyone. We as Christians are NOT called to point out the sin in all mankind, but to love and support all and correct those who are in the church with us. We as Christians are called to look to our own sins, before we point out anyone else's sin. Matthew 7:3 says Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
So, you might ask, would you have us support this most heinous of sins?? Here is what I say to that: Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Matthew 23:23-24 Is it justice to condemn those who are not Christian, or those who have been led astray? Is it mercy to cast people out for their sin? Is it faithfulness to believe we must do the punishing for God?
I also point out to you this: Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7 Jesus points out to us that who among us is worthy to condemn another human being. We each have our own sins. We all have our problems and we ALL need the forgiveness of God. Are we really worthy to stand in judgment of those who's sin is simply different from our own?
But what about supporting sin, you ask. Here's my question to you: how many people have ever asked you if you think their lifestyle is pleasing in the eyes of God? How many people have ever asked you if you think a certain act is sinful, according to God? I bet you can count those people on one hand. I bet you don't even have to use any fingers when you count.
I've NEVER had anyone ask me if I thought they way they lived was pleasing to God. I'm pretty sure, if their mind is on God, then they will already know the answer to that question. I've never had anyone ask me if a certain action, like homosexuality, is a sin. I'm pretty sure they already know they answer. I'm also pretty sure they don't want me to tell them the answer.
If someone ever asks you those specific questions, by all means tell the truth. If anyone ever asks you a question about the Gospel, then answer true. Anything else is as good as denying God.
Until that time, serve others with love. Until that time, BE grace. Until that time, look not for sins in others, but look instead to find God in your heart. Pray and really be willing to listen to the answers the Holy Spirit gives you.
Try to be a little less outraged. It really doesn't do any good. After all, our God can take care of Himself...He does not need us to be outraged on His behalf. But He does need us to LOVE on His behalf.
The world doesn't have enough love. We, as Christians, can change that.
I am a Christian too. By that I mean that I believe that Jesus was born as the Son of God, He lived a blameless life, died on the cross, endured hell for us, and then rose from the grave. He is the reason we are able to speak with God. He is the reason we are forgiven. He is the reason we are able to attain heaven.
That being said, I am also a watcher of news. I see the struggle Christians are facing - the choice to serve or not serve gays. Homosexuals. Sinners. Flaunters of God's law. Evil. Bad people. SINNERS!
Wait...did I go too far? That sounded pretty extreme, didn't it? It sounded a lot like hate. Last time I looked God did not command us to hate, but to love. Read an excerpt from Matthew 5:46-48. 46 If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? 47And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? 48Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.
So you see, this is the problem that I have with these outraged Christians in the news. This cry that has gone out to be able to deny service to someone because they have sinned has such a large following it seems. I'll even go so far as to say once I was one of you Outraged Christians. Why should we bake wedding cakes for a sinful wedding? If we do this thing, are we saying we support this sin?
So I ask you, when Jesus allowed a fallen woman to wash his feet, did He support prostitution? When He called Zacchaeus, the tax collector, out of the tree, was He supporting those who rip people off? When He washed the feet of Judas, was He giving the thumbs up to those who sell people out and get them killed?
We as Christians are called to love everyone. Not just those people we are comfortable with, not just those we are easy around, but everyone. We as Christians are NOT called to point out the sin in all mankind, but to love and support all and correct those who are in the church with us. We as Christians are called to look to our own sins, before we point out anyone else's sin. Matthew 7:3 says Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?
So, you might ask, would you have us support this most heinous of sins?? Here is what I say to that: Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You give a tenth of your spices—mint, dill and cumin. But you have neglected the more important matters of the law—justice, mercy and faithfulness. You should have practiced the latter, without neglecting the former. 24You blind guides! You strain out a gnat but swallow a camel. Matthew 23:23-24 Is it justice to condemn those who are not Christian, or those who have been led astray? Is it mercy to cast people out for their sin? Is it faithfulness to believe we must do the punishing for God?
I also point out to you this: Let any one of you who is without sin be the first to throw a stone at her.” John 8:7 Jesus points out to us that who among us is worthy to condemn another human being. We each have our own sins. We all have our problems and we ALL need the forgiveness of God. Are we really worthy to stand in judgment of those who's sin is simply different from our own?
But what about supporting sin, you ask. Here's my question to you: how many people have ever asked you if you think their lifestyle is pleasing in the eyes of God? How many people have ever asked you if you think a certain act is sinful, according to God? I bet you can count those people on one hand. I bet you don't even have to use any fingers when you count.
I've NEVER had anyone ask me if I thought they way they lived was pleasing to God. I'm pretty sure, if their mind is on God, then they will already know the answer to that question. I've never had anyone ask me if a certain action, like homosexuality, is a sin. I'm pretty sure they already know they answer. I'm also pretty sure they don't want me to tell them the answer.
If someone ever asks you those specific questions, by all means tell the truth. If anyone ever asks you a question about the Gospel, then answer true. Anything else is as good as denying God.
Until that time, serve others with love. Until that time, BE grace. Until that time, look not for sins in others, but look instead to find God in your heart. Pray and really be willing to listen to the answers the Holy Spirit gives you.
Try to be a little less outraged. It really doesn't do any good. After all, our God can take care of Himself...He does not need us to be outraged on His behalf. But He does need us to LOVE on His behalf.
The world doesn't have enough love. We, as Christians, can change that.
Wednesday, January 21, 2015
Parenting Lessons
Parenting, I have come to find out, is a constant learning process. In spite of the fact that my school years have longs passed, I still am having to gain new skills. Today I had to do another one of those learning lessons...or maybe I should say several of those learning lessons.
Today, my youngest was in tears as we worked on piano together. Now really why she was upset was because she had just been chastised about being more grateful for what she had, but piano got to take the blame for the moment. As I sat holding my sobbing child, it occurred to me how much I wanted to run away at the moment. Just get out and leave. I then realized that we hadn't left our house to do anything fun in a long time. No field trips, no fun exploring, nothing. So we went bowling today. But since I'm a kill two birds with one stone kind of mom, we stopped at the bx and the girls got hair cut first. That didn't turn out so well either.
My oldest daughter has hair cut issues anyway, but I have the rule that hair cannot be in the eyes. She was sad because she had been trying to get her hair to go to the side, but it's so heavy it just falls down. She was insistent that she get to keep trying. But I didn't listen. I had the lady cut her bangs above her eyebrows. My girl sat down next to me when it was done and we were waiting for the youngest and was quietly in tears. Once again, I wanted to run away. Just leave. I couldn't understand how a girl's identity could be so tied up in hair. I've never cared that much about my physical appearance. I still don't. But my girl did, and really, in the end, I guess that was all that mattered. My girl cared about what her hair looked like and I should too. It's hard to adjust a 34 year old mindset. It's hard to be understanding about something that I just didn't understand...but I figured it couldn't be any harder than looking at my girl's crumpled face. So, we talked about how we were going to work on her bangs growing out and then we went and bought her some clips to help her keep her bangs back. Just that quick all was right in the world again.
So, off to bowling we finally went. We had lunch, and surprisingly everyone actually ate without me being a nag. (In this house, that is cause for celebration) After that we are all off to bowl, when I stick my foot in my mouth. I challenged all the kids to bowl without bumpers and to score 50 or higher. While the older two readily accepted the challenge, the youngest...not so much. How I didn't cave for those first five frames is nothing short of a great mystery to me. God bless the woman with the little kids playing in the play place next to us. She called Emily over to encourage her and give her a few pointers. I'm not sure if it helped, but it surely didn't hurt. Finally, finally by the ninth frame...she knocked a pin over. Without bumpers. All on her own. I could have wept with joy. The look on her face was one I will never forget. She was so proud of herself. After that there was no stopping her. Her score didn't really get any better...but she kept on trying.
My kids are getting older now and I can't just do the because I said so thing any more. That thing about homeschooling is that I have finally become teacher and my words seem to finally have weight. What I think about them, what I say to them, how I act towards them and others...it all matters now. I used to get so frustrated because someone else's words weighed more heavily than mine did on their hearts...but now, I get frustrated with myself because I seem to so often not do the best things, and now what I say does matter to them.
I've got great kids. They aren't loud, rude, or pushy. They don't bounce off the walls in public, and they aren't harsh to other kids. They willingly volunteer their time to help others. I look at other kids and I wonder so often why mine aren't like them. I look at so many other kids and am grateful mine aren't like them. I guess I can't have it both ways. I know my kids have fun and play and do all those kid things and I probably shouldn't worry. But I do any way.
Today, my youngest was in tears as we worked on piano together. Now really why she was upset was because she had just been chastised about being more grateful for what she had, but piano got to take the blame for the moment. As I sat holding my sobbing child, it occurred to me how much I wanted to run away at the moment. Just get out and leave. I then realized that we hadn't left our house to do anything fun in a long time. No field trips, no fun exploring, nothing. So we went bowling today. But since I'm a kill two birds with one stone kind of mom, we stopped at the bx and the girls got hair cut first. That didn't turn out so well either.
My oldest daughter has hair cut issues anyway, but I have the rule that hair cannot be in the eyes. She was sad because she had been trying to get her hair to go to the side, but it's so heavy it just falls down. She was insistent that she get to keep trying. But I didn't listen. I had the lady cut her bangs above her eyebrows. My girl sat down next to me when it was done and we were waiting for the youngest and was quietly in tears. Once again, I wanted to run away. Just leave. I couldn't understand how a girl's identity could be so tied up in hair. I've never cared that much about my physical appearance. I still don't. But my girl did, and really, in the end, I guess that was all that mattered. My girl cared about what her hair looked like and I should too. It's hard to adjust a 34 year old mindset. It's hard to be understanding about something that I just didn't understand...but I figured it couldn't be any harder than looking at my girl's crumpled face. So, we talked about how we were going to work on her bangs growing out and then we went and bought her some clips to help her keep her bangs back. Just that quick all was right in the world again.
So, off to bowling we finally went. We had lunch, and surprisingly everyone actually ate without me being a nag. (In this house, that is cause for celebration) After that we are all off to bowl, when I stick my foot in my mouth. I challenged all the kids to bowl without bumpers and to score 50 or higher. While the older two readily accepted the challenge, the youngest...not so much. How I didn't cave for those first five frames is nothing short of a great mystery to me. God bless the woman with the little kids playing in the play place next to us. She called Emily over to encourage her and give her a few pointers. I'm not sure if it helped, but it surely didn't hurt. Finally, finally by the ninth frame...she knocked a pin over. Without bumpers. All on her own. I could have wept with joy. The look on her face was one I will never forget. She was so proud of herself. After that there was no stopping her. Her score didn't really get any better...but she kept on trying.
My kids are getting older now and I can't just do the because I said so thing any more. That thing about homeschooling is that I have finally become teacher and my words seem to finally have weight. What I think about them, what I say to them, how I act towards them and others...it all matters now. I used to get so frustrated because someone else's words weighed more heavily than mine did on their hearts...but now, I get frustrated with myself because I seem to so often not do the best things, and now what I say does matter to them.
I've got great kids. They aren't loud, rude, or pushy. They don't bounce off the walls in public, and they aren't harsh to other kids. They willingly volunteer their time to help others. I look at other kids and I wonder so often why mine aren't like them. I look at so many other kids and am grateful mine aren't like them. I guess I can't have it both ways. I know my kids have fun and play and do all those kid things and I probably shouldn't worry. But I do any way.
Friday, August 29, 2014
Do Your Job!
I don't do politics. I don't get into arguments about the President, or Congress, or even local government. I just don't. I personally think that everyone has an opinion about politics, and just like everyone has a bum...they all stink.
I'm going to break my rule of just not saying anything. Watching the news has just lit me up. I know, I know, the news is not always reliable. It's biased (no matter what they claim), it's not always accurate, and again is mostly filled with talking heads opinions. However, when the same thing is said over and over and over again by news stations who generally speaking can't agree on the day of the week, much less anything political...I tend to take notice.
First, either deport illegals or make everyone legal. For pity's sake, PICK ONE! If you make them legal, then make them get a social security number and pay taxes, Obamacare fees, and everything else we legal folks get stuck footing the bill for. If you are going to let illegals get a license, go to public schools, utilize hospitals, ect. then good golly, let them help pay for it! If you don't want to legalize everyone, then kick them out. Make the hard decision, and dump them back over the boarder. Take the money we would be using for licenses, schools, and hospital care, and beef up the border. Neither decision will be popular with everyone. Neither decisions will come with out any consequences. However, the president gets paid big bucks because those decisions are hard and often suck. Do your job!
Yes, I know...neither of those above choices are simple. Yes, we have to worry about those companies that employ illegals on the down low and that makes it so we can afford fresh fruit. Yes, we have to worry about ticking off those countries below us. I get it. I really do. However, this passing the buck on to the next sucker who gets elected really needs to stop. Sigh.
Second, there are bad, bad people in the world. Those bad, bad people beheaded an American. Those same people will do it again because they want to and because they have not been stopped. Some of these bad, bad people even come from our own country. And we HAVE NO PLAN. Seriously. No plan. Awesome. We, or more to the point our president, announced on world wide TV that "yeah, we got nothing". Way to strike fear into the hearts of those who intend us harm. I can see Isis shaking in their booties. NOT.
Ok, sarcasm aside, something needs to be done. While some people have the desire to make the Middle East a parking lot via dropped nukes, I'm a supporter of something a little less extreme. I know we can't fight all the wars. I know we don't have an inexhaustible supply of men and women who bleed red, white, and blue. I also know, not too many of our military would not be a supporter of kicking some serious Isis butt. You know, our saying in the US used to be "Walk softly, and carry a big stick". We didn't go out into the world starting stuff...but we were known for finishing it! Nowadays, not so much. We are seen as weak, ineffective, and just plain inept. It's a shame and it's disheartening, and really...it just makes me mad. It makes me mad because those who are set up to represent us, aren't. They just aren't. Americans are not cowards. They do not back down from a fight. They certainly don't let fellow Americans die in an act of terrorism without a single sound.
Finally, our education system. Ok, I have to take a deep breath in order to be able to do this one. Who in their right mind creates a new education system without using EDUCATORS to do it?? Who decides that a test is a measure of what a child is completely capable of? Who decides that it is best to teach each and every child the exact same way??!! Somewhere along the way our leaders lost their ever lovin' minds. This is not ok. We are killing the love of learning in our children. We are teaching them that a test is the end all, be all of their lives. We are teaching them that they are all exactly alike and to be different is wrong.
The outcry and outrage of educators and parents alike is not enough to encourage our leaders to do something about it. The blatant evidence that we are failing and falling behind other leading countries of the world is not enough to make our leaders do something about it. What will it take? How much damage must be done to our children before change (or better yet, let's just go back to the educators from the 60's and 70's...look at all the innovators that came from those eras) becomes a priority?
UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVES, TO INCLUDE THE PRESIDENT...DO YOUR JOBS!! You are paid to represent the American people. The American people are pissed! Do your job. Make the changes that need to be made. Make the sucky, stinky, hateful decisions that need to be made. Be unpopular with some people...it won't kill you. Do what is right, not what makes you money, gets you more votes, or makes you look good. Look at the country you are supposed to represent, love and serve, and do your job. If you can't do it, step down and let someone else who can, do.
I hate politics....and I'm edging towards hating politicians. Hate is not good...I get that, but man, oh, man...it is past time for a change. The American people have plenty of backbone. Too bad those represent us to the world seem to be missing theirs.
I'm going to break my rule of just not saying anything. Watching the news has just lit me up. I know, I know, the news is not always reliable. It's biased (no matter what they claim), it's not always accurate, and again is mostly filled with talking heads opinions. However, when the same thing is said over and over and over again by news stations who generally speaking can't agree on the day of the week, much less anything political...I tend to take notice.
First, either deport illegals or make everyone legal. For pity's sake, PICK ONE! If you make them legal, then make them get a social security number and pay taxes, Obamacare fees, and everything else we legal folks get stuck footing the bill for. If you are going to let illegals get a license, go to public schools, utilize hospitals, ect. then good golly, let them help pay for it! If you don't want to legalize everyone, then kick them out. Make the hard decision, and dump them back over the boarder. Take the money we would be using for licenses, schools, and hospital care, and beef up the border. Neither decision will be popular with everyone. Neither decisions will come with out any consequences. However, the president gets paid big bucks because those decisions are hard and often suck. Do your job!
Yes, I know...neither of those above choices are simple. Yes, we have to worry about those companies that employ illegals on the down low and that makes it so we can afford fresh fruit. Yes, we have to worry about ticking off those countries below us. I get it. I really do. However, this passing the buck on to the next sucker who gets elected really needs to stop. Sigh.
Second, there are bad, bad people in the world. Those bad, bad people beheaded an American. Those same people will do it again because they want to and because they have not been stopped. Some of these bad, bad people even come from our own country. And we HAVE NO PLAN. Seriously. No plan. Awesome. We, or more to the point our president, announced on world wide TV that "yeah, we got nothing". Way to strike fear into the hearts of those who intend us harm. I can see Isis shaking in their booties. NOT.
Ok, sarcasm aside, something needs to be done. While some people have the desire to make the Middle East a parking lot via dropped nukes, I'm a supporter of something a little less extreme. I know we can't fight all the wars. I know we don't have an inexhaustible supply of men and women who bleed red, white, and blue. I also know, not too many of our military would not be a supporter of kicking some serious Isis butt. You know, our saying in the US used to be "Walk softly, and carry a big stick". We didn't go out into the world starting stuff...but we were known for finishing it! Nowadays, not so much. We are seen as weak, ineffective, and just plain inept. It's a shame and it's disheartening, and really...it just makes me mad. It makes me mad because those who are set up to represent us, aren't. They just aren't. Americans are not cowards. They do not back down from a fight. They certainly don't let fellow Americans die in an act of terrorism without a single sound.
Finally, our education system. Ok, I have to take a deep breath in order to be able to do this one. Who in their right mind creates a new education system without using EDUCATORS to do it?? Who decides that a test is a measure of what a child is completely capable of? Who decides that it is best to teach each and every child the exact same way??!! Somewhere along the way our leaders lost their ever lovin' minds. This is not ok. We are killing the love of learning in our children. We are teaching them that a test is the end all, be all of their lives. We are teaching them that they are all exactly alike and to be different is wrong.
The outcry and outrage of educators and parents alike is not enough to encourage our leaders to do something about it. The blatant evidence that we are failing and falling behind other leading countries of the world is not enough to make our leaders do something about it. What will it take? How much damage must be done to our children before change (or better yet, let's just go back to the educators from the 60's and 70's...look at all the innovators that came from those eras) becomes a priority?
UNITED STATES REPRESENTATIVES, TO INCLUDE THE PRESIDENT...DO YOUR JOBS!! You are paid to represent the American people. The American people are pissed! Do your job. Make the changes that need to be made. Make the sucky, stinky, hateful decisions that need to be made. Be unpopular with some people...it won't kill you. Do what is right, not what makes you money, gets you more votes, or makes you look good. Look at the country you are supposed to represent, love and serve, and do your job. If you can't do it, step down and let someone else who can, do.
I hate politics....and I'm edging towards hating politicians. Hate is not good...I get that, but man, oh, man...it is past time for a change. The American people have plenty of backbone. Too bad those represent us to the world seem to be missing theirs.
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