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**This post is NOT here to debate political or medical advice or decisions. I am merely processing my struggles in hopes that it can help someone else. ALL negative, political, and medical comments of ANY KIND will be deleted. **
You may have noticed that I haven’t been blogging lately and the truth is it’s been hard for a number of reasons. First, we’ve simply been busy. There are multiple projects in progress, it’s canning season, and keeping up with the harvest is somewhat of a chore, and then the usual chores and commitments. And frankly, a lot of what we’ve been doing isn’t blog-worthy. It’s simply running necessary errands. Cooking dinner, washing dishes, or doing laundry. Just normal everyday activities that everyone does. I’ve already talked about a lot of the canning and preserving. There’s only so much to share without repeating myself. Other times what we’re in the middle of is fluid, the plan changes three or four times and I can barely keep my head from spinning let alone share it with you in a coherent way.
When I do have a few minutes to write here or there I can’t find the words. I’ve spent a LOT of time scrolling on my phone trying to find the answers and fix what I see going on in the world. I’m finding myself increasingly angry and heartbroken over what I see happening.
Yes, on a National and world scale it’s hard. But what really gets to me, what really breaks my heart is the amount of division I am seeing.
Division in marriages, within families, inside the Church, within the community, the Nation, and the world. To be honest, I feel like all the other problems the world has would feel less heavy if we could become united or even simply agree to disagree.
Especially in America, we have the freedom to do our research, ask questions, seek the Lord, and make an informed choice. Not only is it a Constitutional right, but it’s a God-given ability we all have.
I’m seeing comments all over social media of people calling out others that have a different opinion than they do. They’re calling them names and being hurtful for simply disagreeing. Yes, by all means, share your opinion! That’s the beauty of these platforms. But please do so with LOVE. If I happen to be someone that that person disagrees with, I take those comments personally. The snarky tone, the condescending comments, the insinuation that I haven’t thought about my decision and sought the Lord; it’s truly hurtful.
“If a kingdom is divided against itself, that kingdom cannot stand. And if a house is divided against itself, that house cannot stand. And if Satan has risen up against himself, and is divided, he cannot stand, but has an end.” (Mark 3:24-26).
Especially around football season I’ll see all sorts of posts online about “a house divided” and I thought it was funny, a little annoying and over-the-top maybe, but I could only assume that it was done in jest. But now, I don’t find it funny. Yes, it’s a football team but I’ve come to the conclusion that division, (NOT respectfully agreeing to disagree), in any form is nothing more than a foothold for the devil. Ephesians 4:27 reminds us to “not give place to the devil”. Paul reminds Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:23 to “…avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife.”
I have done research, talked to people, compared notes, and spent a LOT of time in prayer to reach the decisions that I have made. They were not made lightly, and neither were your decisions. You researched, talked to people, compared notes, and if you’re a praying person, you sought the Lord. We may have come to different conclusions. But that doesn’t mean that you were right, and I was wrong or vice-versa. It simply means that we are convicted on different things and came to a different conclusion. AND THAT’S OKAY.
“For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.” (Galatians 1:10)
I’ve also realized that I am on this earth for one reason and one reason only. To seek to please God and bring Him honor and glory. It IS my job to pray about all things (Philippians 4:6-7), diligently research and study the information provided by BOTH sides of whatever the situation is, and above all else; diligently seek the Lord’s will (Romans 12:2). I believe that if we earnestly seek Him, we will find Him, and He will make His will for our lives known to us (Jeremiah 29:13).
Once I have come to a decision in this way, I can rest easy. Knowing through prayer and study (both of information and the Bible), this is God’s will for me right now.
I can be confident in this decision. I DON’T need to worry about what others think of me or how I am perceived because of that decision. I’m able to keep living my life and serving God the best way I know how. If you know anything about me, you know that I love the Kendrick Brothers movies. “War Room” is one that I reference a lot because I find it the most applicable right now. In it, Ms. Clara tells Elizabeth that if she wants to improve her marriage she needs to start by getting HER relationship with Christ right first.
Another favorite, feel-good movie that I love is ”Mom’s Night Out”. Yes, it’s designed and dedicated to Moms everywhere, but I’ve found a lot of encouragement and laughter from it even though I’m not yet a mother. In one scene that I believe wasn’t even in the original script, Sean uses an airplane analogy to make a very important point. He tells his wife Allyson that before she can help anyone else, she needs to take care of herself first. She needs to put HER oxygen mask on BEFORE she can help someone else find theirs.
The last post I posted talked about how I’m trying to take a step back and live my life. Right here, right now.
Enjoying the garden, looking at all the sunflowers and birds in the yard, and taking too many photos of the sunset. But obviously, I’ve not done very well with that. And from what I’ve seen of social media I’m not the only one that is struggling right now. Struggling to let go, struggling with everyone’s loud and differing opinions, and the heartbreak of the reality of our fallen world. And frankly, there are days where it just feels like too much. It’s too heavy, confusing, frustrating, and painful.
“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” (Matthew 11:28-30)
I want to encourage us all right now to just take a deep breath. Step away for a while. Take a break if you have to. Limit your time online or watching the news. Do what YOU must do for the betterment of yourself and your family. It’s okay to silence the world for a while, get lost in a good book or a good movie, and rest! I’m not trying to insinuate that God will keep us safe from all the bad in the world because He won’t. He allows us to walk through trials for our betterment (James 1:2-4). Molding us to be more like Him (2 Corinthians 3:18).
However, I do want to remind you that God’s got this! None of what has happened in your life or in the last 17 months has taken Him by surprise.
He knows and He’s ultimately the ONE in control. He calls the shots. Not the President, the legislature, the courts, or The People. God does. And what He has planned is what will happen. But whatever that plan is He has promised to walk with us through it. Side by side, step by step lovingly guiding us until we reach our ultimate home in Heaven with Him.
Right now, I’m active on social media sharing regular updates through posts and stories. If you’re not on social media for any reason you can still access the content posted by visiting my profile on Facebook or Instagram. I have thought about starting an email newsletter sharing some of the content that I post on social media. If you’re interested in that send me an email and let me know. If there’s enough interest I’ll see about starting that up. In the meantime, though, I’ll try to get better about posting updates here and finding and sharing all the good that God’s placed in my life and encourage you to do the same!
Until next time,
Bailey Sue
Amen!
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