From Preachin' to Meddlin'

Oops, I am eating grapes again.
A constant reminder to stay connected to the vine.

It's time for a frank conversation. There is a whole lot of preachin' going on on social media. As a friend of mine says, "This mess has gone from preachin' to meddlin'."  Meddlin' Southern translation of the word"meddling"  noun intrusive or unwarranted interference. What is see is whole lot of self-trained constitutional law experts, medical experts and social scientists offering up opinions and weighing in on what should or should not be done as we face something dangerous, new and different in our midst. 

Yes, I actually know someone who has had this virus. (several actually) Yes, a couple of them ended up on a ventilator. And, praise God, none of my circle has died... yet. But people I love have lost loved ones. So I am left to wonder exactly how helpful all the untrained opinions are and what is the root cause of the constant lashing out. Yes, I know people that have lost their jobs, people close to me, like my son who just began his grown up life in a different town. Yes, I know people that are concerned their small business will suffer, I am on the board of one, in fact. I get it. People are afraid, of either the virus or afraid of losing their way of life they have grown accustomed to. (Maybe that is the problem. Just maybe we have grown accustomed to the wrong way of life.)

So here is what we have people - back to Peter and the new isolated Christians scattered after the death and resurrection of Jesus. Stay good! Don't hurt anyone - with words, with misinformation, with unfounded opinions or facebook posts. Don't throw rocks - they hurt. Teach without malice. Support your position with facts that are true and real.

Or better yet, act like your Daddy taught you. Not, your earthly daddy (although he may have been a great, Godly man.) Act like your Heavenly Father, the one Jesus displayed to you with his life and his love. *Check out Peter's thoughts written by Eugene Peterson in The Message 

In 1 Peter 4, Peter urges us to have unity of mind, sympathy, love for our brothers and sisters, and no tit for tat. Peter tells us if we to see GOOD DAYS to seek peace and pursue it! 

Today:

• Pursue peace
• Pause before posting (ask yourself does this bring peace or does it pester those already worried and hurting)
• Pray for others because I am praying for you
• Participate in bringing joy.