Political Differences

We’ve always been told that there are two topics to avoid with strangers and, as most may know, with family and friends:  Religion and politics.

I recently shared a link on facebook of a report from Fox News regarding Navy Seals. Since I have a grandson in the Navy who spends months at time in a submarine away from his wife and baby, I am a softie about anything military. Immediately my stepson’s girlfriend, who is very liberal, commented on this post blasting Fox News as liars.

I read her comment on my little phone screen while I was in the line at the post office, and my first reaction was WHAT? She was accusing me of posting lies. So my response was “I can post what I want.” And she again said it was all lies, and proceeded to attack me. Obviously, this "new" girlfriend didn't care about getting brownie points with me.

I decided to bite my tongue and take the high road. Still it bothered me for several days. We’re all entitled to our own political and religious views. Because those views differ from someone else, that doesn’t make us right.

Funny how those who scream the loudest: Intolerant, Bigot, Prejudice, don’t realize that by their very actions, they are guilty of those things. Because I differ from someone else doesn’t make me right or wrong.

Let’s choose to agree that we disagree. Don’t let hatred ooze from your pores this election season (or any other time).  Choose to be a person of character!

Sleepless With Puppy

         Having a puppy is like having a newborn baby in the house. Yep, we got our lab mix, Ashley, when she was 8 weeks old (2 weeks ago) from PetMarts Charities Adoption event at the Arizona State Fairgrounds. Ashley yips and whines off and on all night, and when I’m downstairs, she wants my constant attention. If I’m upstairs, she stands at the foot of the stairs and yips and whines.
         Right now our world is consumed with Ashley and her needs. And here I thought I was finished with the baby thing! Not so, Ashley would definitely say. Alas, she’s cute and adorable and loveable, but some nights that will only get her so far with me. I NEED MY SLEEP!
          And little Ashley is a hoarder. She takes whatever she can and drags it onto the sofa in the living room. Don’t ask how many times we’ve put everything away only to have her start her piles again. Well, okay, you can ask. Every day! She loves the toy box that I keep in the family room for all the little grandchildren and great-grandchildren that come over. And of course, she loves shoes. My husband shoes! I keep all of mine upstairs (hint, hint,Jeff!).
         It’s evening as I type, so I’m gearing myself up for another night of broken sleep.

Did You See?

Did you see her today, as she walked your way?

Head down, shuffling feet, trying not to be seen

Not saying a word, although longing to be heard

Misery, apathy, begging, praying to be set free

 
                                           From the prison she’s in, looking out from within

Frightened, afraid to live, but more afraid to die

Crushed, bruised, battered, youthful dreams shattered

Prince Charming, happily ever after, to her all a lie

                                            It’s your fault says he, she knows that can’t be

He belittles, abuses, ‘til she assumes his disgrace

Outlook hopeless and grim, terrified of him

What to do? Should she tell? Where to go to be safe?

                                                No family or friends, took time to see within

Beyond the smile, see her pain and suffering

The neighbors next door, choosing to ignore

The screams, the bruises, the endless fighting

                                              Did you hear her today, what she had to say?

Timidly speaking, daring to trust and confide

What was she told? “You just have to be bold!

Stand your ground, don’t back down, don’t hide!”

                                            Did you see her today, as she walked your way?

In the door, up the aisle, and right past your pew

This her very last hope, no longer able to cope

Did you notice? Feel her pain? What did you do?

 
                                           Did you see her today, as she was carried away?

Beaten, lying on a gurney, covered with a sheet

“I love you,” Jesus said, as she took her last breath

No more pain, suffering – in death set free

                                                  Do I see them walk by, hearing their cry?

The lost, broken-hearted, battered, abused

God, please help me see, those in front of me

Share Your heart, Your love, so they may see You.

                                         For you see, she was me, I was she, though set free

For I didn’t die, no not I, I survived, I’m alive!

                                                                   Thank you, Jesus!

By Leola Ogle-please do not use without permission.  If you are in abusive situation, or know someone that is, please seek help, or offer help.

Our Tragedy in the News

      Tragedy, crisis, and hardships are inevitable in this life. There is no status we can achieve that makes us immune. It happens to the rich and poor, beautiful and not so beautiful, skinny and fat, healthy and sick – well, you get the idea. I’ve had my share in life, but my miseries and misfortune have been private. Oh, family and friends knew, of course, but it never made the evening news, and was never in newspapers.
      Some dear friends of ours just this week had a tragedy happen that is all over the news. And not just one day, but continuing every day since it happened four days ago. The circumstance is difficult enough but to deal with additional stress of media coverage is something I hope never happens to me.
     These are good people-faithful church-goers who love and serve God wholeheartedly, pillars of the community who are involved in feeding the homeless and other outreaches. What happened to their son (adult son) is devastating enough, but to have personals aspects of one’s life displayed for the world to see makes the tragedy all the more difficult to deal with.
     Their son’s wife shot him in the head. He is dead! The news says there is a history of alcohol, drugs and violence in the home. Whether that is true or not is just speculation to me at this point.

All that matters to my friends is that their son is gone!