It's a beautiful Sunday, chill(y), me and animals, and a little or a lot of music. This is what all good Baptist do on a Sunday morning, dance, dance, dance. (Perhaps I'm Bapticostal.)
I thank God for freedom to do as I please this Sunday morning. I pray throughout the day, every day. How do you do your praying? Is it a more formal process? Find what works best for you, but pray, memorize scripture, draw close to the One who knows you best. You WILL find peace, I promise. (When teaching fifth and sixth grade boys many years ago, they were uncertain, some self-conscious about praying. I taught them to speak to God as if He was their best friend, because He is. If they want to pray using thee and thou and such, fine. We are all different. When it was time to pray, no one was put on the spot, we would have a few seconds of silence to allow anyone with the desire, to pray.
And pray they did. I was so touched, every time. One young man started with, "Jesus, dude," and proceeded from there. He had a heck of a prayer. Powerful.)
Also, another thing. Have you, my lily-white friends, my Hispanic friends, ever attended services at a black church? It was important when raising my kids to introduce them, and me, to other forms of worship, and worship — my black friends know how to worship. We attended services numerous times and came away blessed every single time. Our relationships were strengthened. I encourage you to reach out to your friends, attend services, one with another.
Have you enjoyed fellowship with your black friends in your home, with dinner, with their children spending time with your children, enjoying sleep overs and such? These times were some of the most precious times. I learned what ashy is, and I panicked at the thought of hairstyles so new to me. With the fear of seeming racist, I asked a grandmother one time, when I was purchasing our girls hair ornaments if so and so wears this type thing. I was just out there. How could I learn if I didn't ask? The first time we met was at a parade, our girls were dancing in the parade. I asked her if one little black girl was her child. She said no. I said, oh, the other one...she cut her big brown eyes at me. I didn't mean anything negative AT ALL. There were two black girls, so the other, unless she had been adopted, was the obvious granddaughter. I'm not perfect, I sometimes speak before thinking, not realizing how it may sound. We became very good friends. I love her. I love her granddaughter. She is a heck of a grandmother. She didn't hold my ignorance against me.
If we let people know we are learning, dear God we can do this, draw closer rather than divided.
My word of wisdom today, because occasionally I have those, words of wisdom:
We are being manipulated, some players obvious, others not so much. If you work outside the home, you know co-workers who just can't stand for peace to reign, those who quietly stir nonsense, those who are blatant troublemakers (these are easy, you see them coming and deal accordingly), and then there are those who seriously need medicated, are missing their alcohol or Prozac or both.
I've seen in families, and in work, people spread as gospel something they have absolutely no knowledge of, none. The really sad part of this is even supposedly intelligent people fall right in with the crowd, going along with gossip du jour.
The point being this — if small groups are so very easily manipulated, how much easier is it to spread fear, hate, how much easier is it to sow discontent and strife amongst the masses? Unfortunately, it's incredibly easy, partly because there are those who prefer to believe the very worst about their fellow man. Don't fall for the lies, just don't.
I told someone recently her ears are not garbage cans to be filled with trash. She was distraught over rumors and gossip. Her response was I was so cute, as if not allowing our spirits and minds to be filled with trash was somehow silly. We have a choice. We must choose wisely.
A nice smoked gouda pimento cheese on southwest tortilla, with bits of bacon and pear, partial recipe courtesy of my friend, is about to be prepared. I'll let you know how good it is, deliciously decadent, once it's devoured. (UPDATE: I’d like another...)
Have a wonderful day and an even better week.
We love you guys.
xoxo
D, Maggie Rose, and George W
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