Piling Up the Memories

Today, I opened up my Facebook and the first thing I saw was a post listing my memories from years gone by. Facebook is full of “stuff” and often, I just delete it and keep going. This morning, I decided to take a stroll down memory lane. My memories for today? Time with friends, a car accident and our son’s engagement.

As I gazed through the pictures, I thought about how real that was. I like to be positive. I like to see the very best in people. I like to smile and mean it. I share posts about successes; things that celebrate those I love and cheer them on. I don’t often share the hard ugly stuff. The truth is, I’ve had a difficult year. There have been things and people in my life, this year, that have been hard and ugly. I have struggled with discouragement, depression and self worth. So why haven’t I shared that stuff? The answer may surprise you.

When I share hard things on Facebook, I know that many skim over it but there are also those who read it, take it seriously, pray for me, hurt with me and want to reach out to me. So why not make all of my struggles public? Have you looked at or listened to the media lately? Have you tuned in to politics or the agendas in our schools?

Romans 12:9

Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

Everyone has hurts. There are a lot of hard days happening. I absolutely believe in the power of prayer and in the value of having those around you who love you and encourage you. What I don’t believe in is the bandwagon mentality of complaining and disparaging.

It’s interesting that, over the past couple of years, I am seeing more and more feedback from people calling out for positive; positive feedback, positive communication, positive words. Somewhere along the way, it became ok for someone to attack someone else for their beliefs, their appearance, their struggles, their failures and even their successes. We question why our society is so fractured and then tear someone down because of what is going on in their life – bad or good. It bears remembering, that if you hear it and don’t stand against it, you are part of the problem and not part of the solution.

This is not a popular place to be. It can mean standing alone. It can mean not fitting in. It can mean being judged. So, here’s a call to the question,

Romans 12:2

Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.

When you stand for gossip, bullying, complaining, meanness, you are following the pattern of this world. Are you prepared to stand apart, to be different, to follow the One who set the perfect example of perfect love?

Titus 2:7

Set them an example by doing what is good.

Matthew 22:37-39

Jesus replied: “ ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your sould and with all you mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the secondond is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.”