Wednesday, July 31, 2013

Calling All Christians: On Hypocrisy - Part 2

I have been a Christian since I was about ten years old. I made the decision to accept Jesus Christ into my heart with full knowledge & comprehension about my decision. I remember being baptized, in the Baptist church that my family attended, when I was around twelve years old. We were supposed to choose someone who touched our lives, to read a scripture verse before the pastor baptized us. I remember that I couldn't decide between my father or my mother, & not wanting to hurt the feelings of either one, I chose the neighbor across the street. Well, that ended up hurting both my parents' feelings. My good intentions caused my parents to be hurt. 

Tuesday, July 30, 2013

Calling All Christians: On Hypocrisy

Google the words "why do Christians always", & you will be met with links to websites where people are asking "why are Christians always so judgmental?", or "why do Christians always try to convert atheists?", or "why do Christians always try to shove their beliefs down my throat?". The list goes on. I would venture to guess that the title of this post will grab the attention of not just Christians, but of non-Christians alike. This may be due to the simple fact that there is a high likelihood that someone out there may have been hurt to the point of bitterness, by someone claiming to be a follower of Jesus Christ. The title of this post serves to remind all Christians, myself included, that as followers of Christ, we should conduct ourselves in such a way as to bring honor to Jesus, not turn people away from Him. It also is intended to pique the curiosity of non-Christians, who may be wondering just what admonishment this Christian has for her fellow believers.

Monday, July 29, 2013

My Brother Randy, My "Pumpkin"

I grew up in the 1960's & 1970's, & back then, we listened to music on the stereo. Instead of popping in a CD, we pulled out the vinyl record & put it on the record player. I can remember all the times my brother Randy would ask for a "new needle", because he played so many records & moved that needle so many times, that it would often break. Randy was born with Down Syndrome. That meant that he was born with an extra chromosome, & with common characteristics that he shared with others who had Down's, such as almond-shaped eyes, shorter stature, stubby fingers, a high palate in the mouth, & of course, mental retardation. Anyway, Randy loved music. He loved it so much, that you could be a block away, & hear John Denver, Neil Diamond, The Beach Boys, & other singers of the time at decibels that would make an airport runway seem quiet!

An Army Mom's Song (adapted from an old nursery rhyme)

Oh where, oh where has my little boy gone?
Oh where, oh where can he be?
With his big brown eyes & his innocent smile,
Oh where, oh where can he be?

He's grown up tall, he's not a boy anymore
His eyes have seen many things
How I wish I could protect him from all of life's trials,
Oh where, oh where can he be?

Enough Already!!!

What once was right, is now what's wrong,
And what was wrong, is right.
And those who love God must try to stay strong,
For freedom of religion is no longer their right.

For if they practice their faith & hold true to their heart
They are labeled as bigots, & set far apart.
Set apart from the mainstream, whose direction flows with the tide...
Whichever direction the tide flows, that's the direction they ride.

On Being the Mother of a Soldier - Part 2

Arriving at Fort Knox
(faces & details obscured for Opsec reasons)
The day my son Justin first arrived at Fort Knox, Kentucky for his Basic Training, was a difficult one for him obviously, but also for me, for his stepfather & for his sister. It was on that day that I realized that my son, my child (albeit my grown child, but my child just the same), was no longer within my sphere of protection & that I no longer had any control over what happened to him. He was a new Private, with the rank of PV2. His was one rank below a PFC, or Private First Class, but a Private nonetheless, with all the treatment that goes along with being the lowest rank in the Army. I knew that he was going to have a difficult time at Basic Training, as they all do. 

Sunday, July 28, 2013

On Being the Mother of a Soldier - Part 1

My sister once gave me a journal, on the day we had a going-away get-together for my son Justin (who has given me permission to use his name) shortly before he left for Army Basic Training at Fort Knox, KY in 2010. With great intention, I wanted to write my feelings down in the book each time I felt the pangs of worry or the swell of pride for my son. I found myself paralyzed with the inability to jot my thoughts down, much as I had a desperate need to, & chose instead to internalize my feelings & keep them safely tucked away in my head. I didn't like the thoughts going through my mind.

Parental Alienation: Turning Kids Against the Non-Custodial Parent

With so many marriages ending in divorce, & so many single-parent homes these days, it's only natural that there may be some negative feelings with regard to the person you are no longer in a relationship with. While there are certainly exceptions to the rule, the majority of broken relationships do not end with warm fuzzy feelings being exchanged between the two people who are ending their relationship. If you find yourself in this type of situation, then undoubtedly, it will be difficult to keep your feelings & emotions to yourself while around your children. A relationship loss, even if it's expected, planned or hoped for, is still a loss, & there is still a grieving process that takes place, as well as an adjustment period.