They are to be Pitied

Note:  I often mention my Family of God.  This writing, is not about them.  In fact, it is because of some like those described herein that I was compelled to join my FOG.

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Pitiful are the small, inconsequential minds of those who think that they can hurt me because of their offices and self-deluded thinking that they have some kind of authority over me.    


Pitiful is their self-contempt because they see they fall short of what/how/who they really want to be, so they lash out at and try to hurt others, when in fact, in doing so, they hurt themselves more.  


Tragic is that they confess to believe in my God.  


Tragic is that they foolishly forget my God is omnipotent, omniscient, and omnipresent.  He was there when they lied to themselves and each other.  And He was there when they perpetrated a fraud, calling it worship.  And He was there in the aftermath when they set about their deceitful intentions, justified by their lies.  And He will be there when they stand in my face and try to assert their authority.  In response, I will simply go home, play my piano, and be at peace, at least two out of the three of which they are unable to do.  


All they can do is go home.  And most likely the places where they normally bed down for sleep, hang their clothing, prepare their meals and groom their bodies (at least the exterior) are no more than way stations rather than homes.  “Home” is a place of sanctuary, rest, relaxation, restoration, rejuvenation and refuge.  Home is a place of caring, love and acceptance, despite conflicts which may arise.   Whether a 700-square-foot one-bedroom apartment, a row house, a condominium or a three-story new construction, what they call “home” is most likely a way station, a place for them to go and get ready for the next attack on someone else because they refuse to look in a mirror and see the real problem, the real culprit.  And because they have no inner peace, it matters not the quality, size or cost of their dwelling place; there is no place that can really be home for them.


In the meantime, I will go home, a 2/2 apartment that houses both work and living space, and my piano.  It is not the piano I would have if I could have my pick of instruments, but it is the one I own.  It is not even acoustic.  But it has all 88 keys and they are reasonably weighted and the thing, a Kurzweill PC 88 that has served me well for 17 years, never needs tuning.  And on this instrument I played and recorded my very best rendition of Blessed Assurance ever in my life.  I will play my piano, commune with my God, and be at peace.  


I have a home.  I have a piano.  I have peace.  I have my God.  I have wealth beyond measure.  On the other hand, they do not.  They are to be pitied.

The Business I Want

This writer has never understood why folks get so caught up in the personal side of the lives of people who are famous for any number of reasons -- their political office, artistic ability, sports skills, or whatever.  How does society equate being a superstar of any ilk with being an upright human being with no faults or frailties -- especially when no such human being exists?  (Actually "human being" and "faultless" should not be used in the same sentence.)  Why do folks cry foul when a known person is caught lying, cheating, prostituting or stealing, just as many others do daily?  Don't we know that of the 100% who engage in such acts, 99.9% know better and do not care enough to stop themselves??

Enough of my rant -- this is where I'm headed:  Sitting here at my desk with the Golf Channel on for background noise, I perked up and sat at attention when I heard Tiger Woods say, in response to a reporter's question:  That's none of your business.  Mr. Woods sat still, calm, and in just few seconds (though I'm sure for the reporter it seemed like days -- at least, hours), the female voice who was designating whom should make a query to him, prompted the next reporter to speak.

After the press conference, another reporter asked someone else about the appropriateness of Tiger's response, and seemed to be disappointed that the man agreed with the way the question was handled.  

Everyday we awaken, there is a scandal brewing, one is about to be exposed, and one is in its beginning stages.  These are the things about which folks want to know.  Why?  

Everyday a couple celebrates a wedding anniversary, a healthy baby is born, a student passes a test, someone sees for the first time, someone gets a second chance at life with a newly transplanted organ, someone realizes he/she was not put on earth to live a self-centered life, that an unshared life is a waste life.  These are the things folks do not care to hear about.  Why?

Rather than dwell on the shortcomings of others -- whether Tiger Woods or the man who killed is wife or the woman who sells her body on the street corner -- if we're going to dip into someone's business, can it be to encourage, uplift, and even challenge them to do and be better, and to let them know that they are loved (even while their behavior is abhorred)?  That's the business I want.

After all, as we gossip about and gawk at them, someone is gossiping about and gawking at us.

Amen.

A Wealthy Woman Indeed

Thanksgiving Day 2008 marked the beginning of the end of my life as it had been for several years.  What followed were events that, even in retrospect and without experiencing the agonizing pain that accompanied them, I believe were the most egregious of my little life.  And right here, right now, on this Thanksgiving Eve 2009, I cannot help but have a profound sense of gratitude for the many ways God carried, consoled, encouraged, rescued and loved me.  He used the hands, arms, eyes, ears, feet and hearts of my family by birth and law, my family of faith at South Main Baptist Church, my business clients who are so much more than that, and two wonderfully gifted women who welcomed me into their labor of love for spreading the Good News through music.  And He used for good the acts that others meant to do me harm, all the while teaching me some painful and now much appreciated lessons.   My life is different now; a new chapter is in the making.  And most of all, I am at peace.  That makes me one of the richest people on earth -- a wealthy woman indeed.  What more is there?

My prayer for you, is that even in the darkest hour of your day, on the worst day of your life, and all others as well, that you know the peace of God which transcends all understanding, and that His peace will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

And as my pastor Steve Wells would say:  Go with God's blessings; go with God's peace.

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