Working on Love Skills…

I am not sure why it hit this way – but I am just tired. And, I have heard so many people say the same.

Yesterday – I was exercising on the recumbent bike while sitting in front of two major news networks, and they were basically refuting each other. It was insanity! So, I watched a rerun of HGTV on another TV to try to keep myself from getting anxious and ill.

I think we are all dreading what some of us, in some states are already experiencing. Today, the ads in Ohio are fighting about whether to vote “yes” or “no” on a proposal that is going to be voted on August 8th. Millions of dollars are being spent to have this special election, and what I heard today condemned me as a horrific person because of the vote I will be giving. I could not believe what I was hearing. And, I kept thinking – she has no idea who I am or what I stand for.

Then, all the rhetoric about Trump, Biden, and need I say more?!?! Are you tired? I am tired!

This last weekend I was with my three sisters and my mom and dad. And, although we are all over the map with our theology, our belief systems and understandings of God – I think our goal was not to convert each other to our preference and perspective but to BE together and to LOVE one another.

You see – my parents celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary as of late. And we decided that the six of us would meet somewhere in-between our three states and celebrate. My baby sister’s birthday this year was the big 5-0 and my birthday this year is the big 6-0! (Ugh! I mean-Yay!) So, we thought coming together to just BE was the best gift. I am so glad we got to be together!

We sang together, we laughed together, we broke bread together, we played dominoes, and we played the card game “Golf” together. Two of my sisters made popcorn balls, and I made my famous lemon bars. No, I doubt ANY of us believe the same things about atonement theory or various other beliefs. But we are trying to find what we can come together on in order to love. I am grateful for that.

This week – so much has blown up on the news. And, if you are watching ANY of the newscasts – I am sure we are wondering the same things – “Where can we just hear the news? What is really happening?” Because right now (well for the last few decades) the far right and the far left are clashing in absolutely crazy ways. So, it seems the news has become a place to refute, react, make outrageous claims and assumptions (no journalism involved!) This is so troubling. I find my blood boiling and my head spinning.

What are we to do?

My friend had a great suggestion today. She said, “I do not have all of my theology figured out on this stuff, so I am just going to love people!” Oh wow! That is a concept!!! Right?!?!

Bob Goff in “Everybody Always” says it like this, “You can no longer continue to be the person you’ve been. What are you going to let go of? Who is it you don’t get? Who don’t you understand? Who have you been playing it safe with, while politely keeping your distance? Who has been mean or rude or flat wrong or creeps you out? Don’t tell them all your opinions; give them all your love. I know it’s hard for you. It’s hard for me too. But I’m learning I have to follow Jesus’ example and follow his lead if I’m going to follow in His steps. Even when we feel like we can’t muster the strength and humility to love our enemies, the truth is we can. (O.K. I am quoting Bob Goff – I am struggling with this!!! You feel me?)

(Bob Goff again:) If you do this, I can promise two things will happen. First, it will be messy. Sometimes ugly messy. You’ll also be misunderstood – you might not even understand yourself anymore. The second thing is just as true: you’ll grow. And people who are growing fall forward and bump into Jesus all over again…Don’t just love the people who are easy to love; go love the difficult ones. If you do this, Jesus said you’d move forward on your journey toward being more like Him. Equally important, as you practice loving everybody, always, what will happen along the way is you’ll no longer be who you used to be. God will turn you into love.” (pp.218-219)

I think I want to turn into LOVE! Yep! When Jesus said that all the law and prophets hung on these two commands: Love the Lord your God with all of your heart, soul, mind and strength, and love your neighbor as yourself – I think Jesus meant it. (Matthew 22:36-40) So – if everything hinges on love and NOT fear – then I will try to make every decision out of love and not fear, I will try to treat everyone with kindness and love and not fear. And, I will draw on the Spirit of God for patience, hope, and kindness when those are not what I am actually feeling at the time. (This seems to happen quite a bit lately! Sigh…)

Yes, friends – we are heading into a crazy time of presidential speeches, accusations, denial of what has or is happening, no real way to find those who are just giving us the news without their perspectives, so to brace ourselves for it all – let’s listen to each other and speak with love.

After I left the Air B&B this weekend – it was barely 24 hours – and I had already talked with all of my sisters – I love knowing I am loved and being love. How about you?!?!

Let’s work on our love skills. We might just bump into Jesus.