140 Words Or Less

The results of the recent US election: Obama = 62,088,847 votes Romney = 58,783,137 votes No matter which way you voted, a lot of people disagreed with you. My high-school history teacher often joked that the flaw with democracy is that everybody else’s vote counts just as much as yours. Of course, no one holds their worldview by accident.  We are products of our upbringing, environment and DNA.  We have well reasoned arguments for the beliefs we adhere to.  There is certainly need for debate but when we demonize those who disagree with us, we aren’t just attacking an idea, we’re attacking a human being. The people we disagree with are not our enemies to be defeated. Even if they were, Jesus said to love our enemies, so we'd still have to be really nice to them anyways.

“You can’t come with me to the store” my wife Sarah said to our three year old daughter Alexa.   It was approaching bedtime, a busy day lay ahead and Sarah was planning a quick run to grab some groceries while I put the kids to bed.  This was not the ideal time for a Mother/Daughter shopping trip.  “But I want to come!” Alexa insisted.  “Not today” her mother replied. “Please”? “No”. Alexa dropped the argument and Sarah headed to the kitchen to grab her grocery list. When Sarah returned she was greeted by the sight of Alexa, coat and boots on, toque covering her head, waiting patiently by the door.  “I’m ready” Alexa stated simply.  Unsurprisingly, Sarah did not go shopping alone. Sometimes faith is realizing that just because a door is shut, it doesn’t mean it’s locked. Word Count: 139

One man had recently been diagnosed with cancer, the other had just been elected President.  One was speaking to a handful of football players, the other addressed a nation  As they spoke, both men faced daunting challenges.  One, the fear of death.  The other, a nation bitterly divided by ideology and burdened by debt.  The circumstances they both faced were bleak but their message was hopeful. “And my vision that I’m living is to see two more daughters getting married, dance at their wedding” Chuck Pagano said. “We believe in a generous America, in a compassionate America...That’s the vision we share.” Barack Obama declared. They envision a better future and choose to live like it’s true. I believe Hebrews 11 refers to this as living by “faith”; not being defined by circumstances but by our response to them Word Count: 140

A beautiful thing happened on New Girl the other week.  If you don't regularly watch the show, these clips should give you a good idea of what went down.   In the words of Winston, I "let it rain" every time I watch that last scene.  It's an emotional moment but my reaction is also due to  conviction for my own selfishness.  I am surrounded by some of the most beautiful, loving, generous people in the world.  People who wash my clothes, watch my kids, give me a job, pray for me, send me notes of encouragement and support.  Yet, like Nick, I'm obsessively self-absorbed so I rarely tell these people who "love me too much" how I feel.  So if you're in my life and I keep forgetting to bring you a cookie, please know that "you're the turtle".  Word Count : 140