The New Me - Kitties and Puppy Dogs

Wow, I have really offended a couple of people with that one blog, “One Generation Away From a Tent.” You know, that blog was just MY opinion, thus this is MY blog – MY blog. I don’t want to be selfish, but really, I’m not sharing MY blog, though you can comment on a blog, and if it doesn’t mention anything about “death,” or “torture,” as one did, I’ll probably moderate it so that it’s posted.

I won’t lie or exaggerate the responses, since I actually got more positive responses to that blog than I did negative. I think sometimes, it is my tendency to focus on the negative, especially when it comes from one person, in particular, who I thought knew me better than to attack my character.

Anyhoo, having offended just a couple of people, I have decided to turn over a new leaf. I am going to be sweeter, more demure, and way less caustic and opinionated. No, no, no more opinions, because I’m a Christian, and I guess some people don’t think Christians should have particularly political opinions, or voice them. Though that scares me since it seems to say that only non-Christians should voice their opinions, I don’t want to offend anyone, so I’m just going to please everyone, regardless of what I think, feel, or what my past experiences have led me to conclude.

I will even ignore -- forget if possible -- my parents and grandparents struggles, since in remembering them, I have been offensively honoring their misdeeds: You know to please everyone, I’ll opt to throw the baby out with the bath water, since they made mistakes. Who needs them? They’re just family. So, in my best effort to please EVERYONE, let’s get on with the new me.

For this momentous occasion, I’ve written a poem. I hope you like it.

I like kitties and puppy dogs
I like chocolate and croaking frogs
I like raindrops and skipping rocks
I like singing and fresh warm socks

I like children who hula hoop
And mint chip ice-cream in big round scoops
I like caramel-corn and rain
I like poems and sweet refrains

I like talking to all sorts of folks
And tickling my children with gentle pokes
I like saying what I like
I wish I could ride a bike

I’d ride it far, I’d ride it near
I wouldn’t tell anyone my fear
Of a state too big and strong
That makes 5 year olds sing their songs

All about the main guy in charge
While the government gets large
On the backs of you and me
And tries to eliminate the free

And some of our constitutional rights
Taking away the right to fight
So, shut your mouth stupid,
Ignorant girl, before I shame you in front of the world…

Darn it! Did I just write that? Ugh, I’m really not very good at this. I can see right now it’s going to take some work. OK, let me catch my breath. What I meant to say is that I like ponies too, and sometimes when the kids aren’t around I even watch “Spongebob” by myself. I am pretty dopey, not a coherent thought in my little, pea brain. I mean I am a girl for crying out loud, right? I should really be thinking of fake nails and shiny pink lip-gloss.

Wouldn’t we all be better off if people like me never expressed their opinions, because even though I confess over and over I’m as faulty as can be, a person who sins all the time, clearly the big thoughts, the big ideas should be left to the perfect people who never sin, never offend anyone? I’m really caught here in between a rock and hard place: By saying I’m a Christian, I’m apparently saying I’m perfect, though I’m told, Biblically, that I’m a sinner, which I truly believe to be the case. Then, if as a Christian I have political opinions, I am apparently convoluting the message of Christ. Hmm, why did God give us thoughts? Still struggling with that one.

Then, I guess there’s some school of thought that says if you’re a Christian, you can’t be politically minded. I know Jesus said, "Give to Caesar what is Caesar's and to God what is God's,” which seems to clearly draw the line between what God deserves and what our government deserves. If “everything in heaven and earth is [Gods],” and “[He is] exalted as head over all,” and “the ruler of all things” (1 Chronicles 29: 11b – 12), then how, or why is the government allowed to compete with what surely the Creator of heaven and earth would view as inalienable human rights? I guess that’s the sticking point: Who, on earth, determines what are “inalienable rights?” I think much of that could be found in scripture, but surely the answer isn’t to be silent, for fear of being wrong or offensive: Isn’t that what prayer and discernment of the Holy Spirit is for?

I also think Paul would have something to say to people who tell other Christians to be silent. Paul was imprisoned when he said in Ephesians 6:19-21, “Pray also for me, that whenever I open my mouth, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains. “ Aren’t we all to be Christ’s ambassadors? (2 Corinthians 5:20). Can you imagine telling Paul to be silent? Surely he offended the government of his time, or he would not have been imprisoned, right? If he were non-offensive to the government, breaking no laws, not speaking out against the governing authorities, than why would they imprison him? Couldn’t the Romans have just played Paul off as a crazy, fanatical follower of Christ, if he had merely been preaching the gospel, had it not disrupted the governing authorities? Had he just been silent, he could have met with a holy huddle of fellow believers and safely and snugly slept in his own bed, rather than on the hard stone floor of a jail cell.

Can I just say this? I am blogging, as an imperfect Christian who still thinks and has opinions about political policies, and I am still trying to be the best Christian I can be everyday. For faulty people like me, I like this verse: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus” (Phillipians 3:13 – 15).

OK, so with that said, let me try this thing again. This time, nice, nice, nice – happy, happy, happy…Here goes.

I like mochas on a cold winter night
When we’re all tucked in snuggly tight
I like Christmas on a snowy day
And squirrels when they’re outside at play

I like salads and apple pies
And a dog who always nips at flies
I like riding in fast cars
But I’m not too fond of certain czars

Who don’t believe that “If a man does not work, he shall not eat;”
They’d rather create an impoverished need
Of lazy people to sit at home
While they live on government funded loans

Where do you think that money’s from?
It depletes from others to give to some
Socialism and communist
Reminds me of oozy boils and cysts

Now they’re lighting up the Empire State
To warn us all of our dismal fate
Red and yellow, for blood and fear
I got off course…uh, let’s have a beer?

Ah, this is really hard when anyone tells you what to say
Or to think, and then go away
Putting it all on hater’s labels
I’m more apt to believe in fables

Than to buy that I’m entirely wrong
For my opinions – my bloggy song
I cannot be silent, nor do I want to be
Because I love opinions and speech that’s free

OK, I give up! I am not very good at this complacent and non-opinionated thing. If only I were enrolled in Kindergarten right now in Florida. I could learn what I’m supposed to think, put it in a catchy song, and get with the program!