Conceit

When you criticize my enthusiasm, you are wrong. Perhaps you are fooled or confused by the plethora of other entitlements you have been privileged with since birth because of your endowment, your birthplace, the dowry of your nation.

I hope you are wiser than to believe you are owed something.

I hope you are wiser than to be predictable.

I hope you are fuller than to be empty.

My mother, husband and I sat next to a woman today in a restaurant not much unlike my sister. Though she was elegantly dressed and, to my “unfiltered” eye, exceptionally beautiful, she had one specific quality that would not be tolerated by the slaves of appearance enjoying their burgers under the same roof. When I look into so many judging faces and glance “covert” whispering, I am ashamed. The worst hurt I might experience today is that I look out into a sea of people and know what most of them are thinking.

Why are you so easy to be advertised to? Why are you so entitled? What makes your gifts, your shape, your perspective, your ability, your opinion so worthy… so much better? I hurt for you. I do not hurt for us that are unusual, you do well hurting us for us. We do not gain by your secret opinions or your social criticisms. We may even become more imperfect because of them. I do not get stronger because you are critical, but you give my soul purpose for turning to the true Perfect. For getting back up. For saying, “I acknowledge You. I hear them, but I choose You. I can keep going.”

If you are sick, I am not better because I am well. Because you are sick, the well become vulnerable. If you are sick, I will wrap my arms around you to show my true affection. If you are sick, you are not so forever. If you are sick, it is your choice. If you are sick, it is your choice.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit

In humility value others above yourselves...

...not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:3

Who are you doing all of this for?

The Fool Builds His House on Sand...

Mr. Beck (and others, past and present),

I acknowledge your repetitive elucidation of the parameters of your country's Constitution, particularly your familiarity with your FREEDOM of Religion, Press, and Expression. As a fellow partaker in these GIFTS, I would humbly encourage you to choose another date and/or venue to demonstrate your long-term plan for such a diverse, resilient nation whom is merely in her adolescence. Perhaps it is not wise to tread on a great reverend's legacy. The only MAN with whom the wise will fully trust with their futures has yet to return. Until then, I am determined to love you anyway.

All of Our Nest

Seven years is a long time to be a teenager. It's a long time to be judged, a long time to have the pressure of your future on your shoulders, to be told what to do and how to do it, to desire independence yet still depend on your caregivers and educators. It's a long time to have the physical and emotional pain of growth and expectations. But, if we look closely, we can learn so much from them.

Remember what it was like as you judge this group of kids, try to understand that not all of what they do defines them yet. Not yet. Did you not forgot most of your time in this uncomfortable dimension? They are impressionable and malleable, defensive of their rights and privileges. They are absorbing their surrounding world at a rate we all experienced at infancy, a rate we all secretly envy.

Who is more flexible? Who do we expect more of? Who is more alive?

Who is going to pick up where we left off?

Who will they become if we're only showing them that they're not good enough?