“Words are loaded pistols,” wrote philosopher Jean-Paul Sarte in his book, What is Literature?.  And in our contemporary, culture, we seem to thrive on using them as such.  Bullying has become a national epidemic.  Countless news reports have shown the tragic emotional and physical effects bullying has had on our nation’s youth.  CNN this week covered another story of a young woman who took her own life after being bullied by her peers.  My husband and I have had to talk with our 6 year old son about how to deal with bullies.  Being a little different, he is already a target in Kindergarten.

The worst part of it all is that bullying has become a seemingly acceptable part of our culture.  Oh, we give good lip service about how terrible it is, but take a closer look at our media and you will see that it is a practice more condoned than condemned.  Political adversaries use their words to rip each other apart.  “News” programs splash the sordid tales and scandals of “celebrities” across both pages and screens, villifying or idolizing one star or another.  Women are degraded and objectified in magazines, on television and in music.  Hot topic issues become avenues of polarization rather than opportunities for growth and change.  Our culture thrives on being mean.  It’s disgusting, and our kids are paying the price.

As Christians, we have an obligation to change the part we play in this society of verbal abuse.  It is an obligation that many churches have forgotten.  Sometimes, as Christians, we use the Word, and our words,  as weapons instead of  tools for spreading God’s message of love and mercy.  The author of the book of James refers to the tongue as “a restless evil, full of deadly poison.” (James 3:8b)  Rather, he counsels his readers to tame the tonuge and become “peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17)  

Likewise, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to use their words carefully.  Paul recognized the power of words to harm and so instructed the Ephesians that whatever comes out of their mouths should be for the benefit of others, building them up rather than tearing them down.     So let me ask you two questions today.  And trust me, I am asking them of myself, as well.

Blessings and Peace,
Sara

Recently, I found myself settling into a bit of a depression over my weight.  I am ashamed to say that I allowed myself to overindulge on food to the extent that my weight had risen to the number it was when I was 9 months pregnant.  I hated the way I looked, hated the way Ifelt.  It took me at least 20 minutes to get dressed each morning because I was too fat to fit into my clothes.  Something had to give.  Literally, my waist.  So, I have enrolled in a weight loss program.  I’ve been on the meal plan for a week.  It’s been grueling and I’ve been cranky and irritable and desperate for some nachos.  But when I stepped on the scale today, I was six pounds lighter!!  So, I’m totally going to stay on this straight and narrow path!

I think I understand, more and more, what Jesus was talking about when he talked about following the narrow road that leads to life.  When we discipline our lives, when we set parameters on ouselves rather than engaging in our culture’s over the top everything, we live with greater purpose.  When we focus ourselves in on something, it takes on more meaning.  We give it our best effort.  It becomes important to us.  And, moreover, when we engage in self discipline, whether it be to lose weight, save money, spend more time with our family, disengage from the t.v., or to draw closer to God, we find ourselves living a more fulfilling life.  We become achievers, rather than accumulators.

It’s not easy, though, to live a disciplined life.  Personally, it goes against almost every fiber of my being.  I like immediate gratification.  I don’t like giving things up, especially food.  It takes awhile to get into the groove.  There’s a reason God had the Israelites wandering around the desert for 40 years.  They were learning to be disciplined.  It can take a long time!  But look at the promise Jesus gives…..this road of discipline is a road that leads to life.

Please don’t think I’m telling  you that you have to stop eating, stop shopping, and stop reading anything but your Bible.  I think God intended for life to be enjoyed!!  I just think that discipline can be good for our souls, and our bodies, and that perhaps the narrow road is the better way to go.

As Robert Frost wrote of the choice between two roads….“And I, I took the road less traveled by, and that has made all the difference.”

Blessings and Peace,
Sara

 I took you from the ends of the earth,
    from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
    I have chosen you and have not rejected you. 

 So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Isaiah 41:9-10

My oldest started Kindergarten a couple of weeks ago.  It's great, and he loves it, and we are slowly finding our rhythm in this new stage of life.  But, like most transitions, it wasn't an easy one to make.  Parent Night was especially difficult for me.  So many emotions coursed through my body.  Anger and bitterness emerged as I dealt with the fact that I am not working in the school which my son attends.  I've had to let go of the picture in my head of us walking to and from school together, sharing our days with one another.  And there were the tears which stung my eyes as I walked through his new classroom and watched him explore his new "home'. 

In sharing all of this with a friend, I received from her this encouraging word.  

"Our children are like kites.  We hold the string at the end of the kite, and when they are first born we keep the kite string very short and they are right by us.  As they get older, we continue to let the kite string out, so they can grow in their independence.  You are just letting your kite string out a little more with this step, but remember you are never letting go of the string that ties you to Garrett.  Just think of the parents taking their kids to college.  Whew!  Their kite strings are really getting long, but no parent ever lets go of the end of the string."

As I was reading her e-mail, it occurred to me that this analogy is true for our relationship with God, as well.  God says, "I am with you".  Jesus reiterates that in the Gospel of Matthew when he tells his followers:

Remember, I am always with you until the end of time.

Matthew 28:20

Even so, there are times in this life when we feel as if we are being carried away by a strong wind.  We feel as if we are a kite that has broken off from it's string, tossed and battered in the wind.  It can be easy to forget that God is still there holding onto our string.  Why doesn't he reel us in?  Because, what would we learn if he did?  How would we grow in our faith if God never let us ride on the wind? 

In Hebrews 6 the author speaks of the importance of Christians growing and maturing in their faith.  We can't grow in our faith if God protects us from all the ups and downs of life.  Time and again Scripture shows us that it is through the struggles of life that real faith emerges.  It is in those times of trials that God is able to show us his mighty hand. 

And so, he lets us fly through both the gentle breezes and the raging storms of this human life.  However, no matter how far we fly, God never lets go of the string.  Through it all, he charts our course and leads us where he wants us to go.

And so, as hard as it will be as my children grow and mature, I rest assured that there are stronger hands than mine holding their line!!

Blessing and Peace,

Sara