Monday, June 15, 2020

Still 2020

Hello. It's Monday, and the world is still a bit too loud. A bit too 2020. What's a blogger to do? I like my quiet cozy space here, but a part of me would love to throw down some words too. Literally throw.them.down. because everything feels pretty ugly online and words are thrown now instead of thoughtfully set in place.

We have a couple of big fat crows that swoop into the tall trees at the edge of our property now and then and they make so much racket you cannot possibly ignore them. When I hear them I step outside and clap my hands as loud as I can and yell shoo! shoo! because their CAW-CAW-CAWing makes my ears bleed. 

That's what the world sounds like right now. 
A bunch of crows. 

And I hear all the noise and I think of my beautiful grandboys living half a world away with their innocent eyes and their curious minds and I pray for healing and peace, for a return to common courtesy, and a kinder, more gentle world. 

Dear Mancub and Darling Baby Brother, 

It's 2020 and I wonder what you'll be told about this year one day. I wonder what your history books will record or if you'll even have a history book? Will there be any words on a page or any visible reminders of all this country has gone through to get to whatever year it is now? 

There are some things I want to tell you that might not make it into your 'history book'. 

I want you to know that God is God. That nothing we humans do in the year 2020 or since the dawn of time has ever surprisd Him. I'm sure we've caused Him sorrow the likes of which we cannot fathom, yet still He created and loves every single person on planet Earth. 

I used to sing a song to your mama and your aunt when they were young, one my mama (your great grandmother Mema) used to sing to me...'Jesus loves the little children, all the children of the world, red and yellow, black and white, they are precious in His sight, Jesus loves the little children of the world.'...and He does.

He loves the big ones too

I want you to know little men, that you're smart. That God gives us brains so we can think for ourselves, and while jumping on bandwagons is a very popular thing to do in 2020 I hope you'll always use your brain before deciding which side of a line you want to plant your words and actions on. 

I hope you know it's okay to have opinions and it's also okay not to share all of them with everybody everywhere. 

It's not okay not to vote, but it is okay not to tell people how you voted. 

It's never okay to be disrespectful. I want to go on a little rant here but then I remembered I don't want to be a crow so will leave it at that. 

Nobody likes a whiner and in 2020 people whine like it's their job. Judgey judgeyness is off the charts but what people need now and what they will always need are grace, compassion, and second chances. Be the one who gives that. 

Be kind in word and deed. 

One of my most referred to verses in all of the Bible is found in Proverbs 10:19 "When words are many transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent." 

When I'm tempted to rant at the universe I try to remember this verse. It's something I'm still working on, but I'm telling you now so you'll have a head start. 

Kindness and compassion are what change hearts and minds, not sanctimonious Facebook postings, burning down cities you have to work and live in, or hurling insults and slapping labels on people you know next to nothing about. Pretty sure this will always be true. 

In 2020 it feels like we're expected to be serious every minute of every day, but the world is heavy and we all need relief. It's good to find humor where humor can be found, to have an honest to goodness belly laugh now and then, to smile and discover people smile back. Or not, but smile anyway.  

Keep your hearts merry and know you are not living in this time and this place by happenstance. 


Know too that in 2020 your Nana loves you as deep as the ocean and as big as the sky.

10 comments:

  1. Beautiful post... I, too, wish the world was just a little more quiet.

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  2. One of the most beautiful posts I have ever read. Such truth!

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  3. I agree with Lea and Debi, and with you. Well said. Thanks for Proverbs 10:19.

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  4. When I first read the 2nd paragraph I read cows instead of crows (I might be getting a cataract) Anywho...I was wondering how cows could get into trees and how noisy could they be. LOL I do know crows and crow cawing for sure...

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  5. Let's hope by the time your little men can read and understand your lovely post things will be better.

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  6. Joyce,
    This is fantastic, thank you for sharing. I am sending it to my boys and my husband to read.
    Thank you again,
    Carla

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  7. Amen, sister! The world really is too loud right now. Love that Proverbs verse too.

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  8. Wonderful and true words. Thank you for sharing.

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