In a tweet yesterday, Stef at Educating Layton made the point that we should all support each other. The world is divisive enough, she said, so why try to separate ourselves even further? I like Stef because she is a straight shooter, who boasts in her weakness, is quick to forgive, and offers support to those around her. On a week where I was feeling anything but self sufficient (I was very sick most of the week!), this little bit of wisdom really stuck with me. She tweeted a verse from 1 Corinthians which I'll share in a minute.
My husband came home yesterday after witnessing a tremendous staff reduction at his office. He was noticeably drained and hurting for his colleagues who were now jobless. He spoke of colleagues still employed who were helping those who had been laid off to find interviews elsewhere, etc... Last night it was apparent to me that we all need each other. Why in the world do we try to isolate ourselves by viewpoints, life choices, etc....?
I've seen so many examples this week (both on and offline) of people trying to set themselves apart, glorify themselves, or proclaim their way of life is "better" than someone else's. I don't often blog about matters of Biblical theology (in fact I almost always try to keep this blog to curriculum), but after Stef and then my husband pointed out some things to me I felt inspired to write. There are times when I just can't keep silent. I do not claim to be perfect, but I'm trying to grow in my walk as a Christian, and these are just my thoughts today.
Consider these words from 1 Corinithians:
The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has combined the members of the body and has given greater honor to the parts that lacked it, so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.
A couple of instances have really bothered me, and I'm sure those of you reading may have had similar experiences:
- The first is online interaction. I've been blogging for nearly 18 months now and the longer I blog the more I see that people divide themselves into groups. In many respects, the blogosphere is a lot like high school. It's full of cliques, and many are just trying to see which people to buddy up to so they can get the best guest posts, sponsorships, giveaway deals, free stuff, etc.... I have to admit - I got a little caught up in this a few months ago, but (thanks again to some guidance from Stef) I finally found my individual niche and I'm sticking with it! I'm also avoiding sites that don't build up the community and individuals who blog for their own glory. A while back Stef advised me to pray for the Lord to close my eyes to these situations. I did -- and guess what? It is working! It has been infinitely easier to unfollow a few folks on Twitter, not read certain blogs, and step back from my online time. I'm getting much better at avoiding the potholes in the blogosphere!
- The second is real life friendships with people I see each day. I am blessed to have a support system of people who accept me for who I am and also support my choices. Let's face it, in today's society, the decision to stay at home, submit to your husband, focus on your family, and then (here's come the real kicker.... wait for it...), HOMESCHOOL, isn't always popular. My husband and I carefully chose this path. I went from being an independent, working woman with a Masters Degree to being a stay at home mom rather quickly. At this point in our lives we decided this path was the one for us. Recently, however, I've been on the receiving end of more than a few snide comments, Facebook updates, and unintentional jabs about my lot in life as a stay at home, homeschooling mom. My first reaction is to be hurt and withdraw, but it seems like just as this happens, God sends me just what I need. Yesterday, this came in the form of a Tweet from my friend, Stef. God is good. While my first reaction is to lash out with my misguided words, the Holy Spirit working in me calms this urge and reminds me to focus on HIM.
After a rather difficult few days, I woke up early this morning feeling thankful and refreshed. My husband texted me a great devotion he was reading as he sat on the bus to work, and I had a good conversation with Robin (another great blogger!) just after I got out of bed. My little boy stumbled out of bed with his crazy hair and blue blanket, and my dog laid at my feet while I drank my coffee. I saw that my good friend, Theresa, is posting at our new site, Three Thinking Mothers - I learn so much from my partners Jess and Theresa! There is so much in the world to be thankful for, and so many people to learn from. Why waste the time tearing others down just to build yourself up? I don't get it.
That's what's on my mind and heart today. I'd love your thoughts and own bits of wisdom. For now, I'm going to enjoy a day where I'm finally feeling better - hopefully not do to much laundry and take time to enjoy my sweet children!
