I know it when I see it...

Gratitude Journal 2-19-11
1. Valentine's Day with my special lady!
2. Doctors who know what they are talking about...
3. Opportunities to meet new folks
4. The return of BASEBALL SEASON - 2011
5. The gift of physical energy

REFLECTION...

Wouldn't it be great if one could look on any decision and see all the variety of thoughts that went into the 'solution' decided upon... whether it was my decision or yours? I believe most folks want to do their best. We are all just filled with details, life experiences, and influences beyond our own consciousness!

My experience as a Southern white male seems to indicate those of us in RED states are a bit quicker to pass judgement on our fellow citizens - both as Americans or as one who professes to be part of God's kingdom (and for me the two are not synonymous). It seems easy for me to look on my neighbor and see him or her as elitist or ignorant, brilliant or just plain stupid. He or she rarely acts with the same purity of heart or struggling with the personal flaws I find in myself. They either represent one extreme side or the other.

When I see grace and mercy my heart rejoices.
However, when I see folks questioning the motives of others I get queasy...

When I hear folks making decisions about what is in my best interest - particularly without asking me directly - I squirm.
Yet I rarely have difficulty expressing a quick opinion about 'what needs to be done'...

When I listen to preachers and pundits telling me what I 'should' think or what I 'should' believe... I rise up in defensiveness.
However, there are definitely times when I would love to tell others when I believe they are 'wrong'...

Wonder what might happen if I see these times as opportunities to address my own dark side?
Wonder what it might be like to see myself as a combination of both brilliance and a certain degree of flawedness too?

If I am honest both extremes are within me. I just need to grow more peaceful within my own skin. I KNOW IT WHEN I SEE IT. I know it when I can allow myself to be o.k. and when I allow others to be o.k. as they are.

I know about 'questioning the motives of others' because I do it myself. When a minister or legislator stands and proclaims what God intends and I know their understandings don't speak for me... instead of getting defensive maybe I would grow closer to God's kingdom if I found ways to address the same issue from another perspective and be open to honest dialogue?

Holy Scripture says, "Seek the truth and it will set you free." It doesn't say it will set others free when I HAVE THE TRUTH!

God help me to know it when I see it...
SHALOM