I am linking up for Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “common.” I’ve missed the party and my people the last several weeks. I need to get back into a routine! Love you all! We’d love to have you join us. Just hop onto Twitter on Thursday evenings and follow the #fmfparty. Hope to see you there!
When I was in college, I acted in the play the Diary of Anne Frank. Something Anne said always jumps out at me, “Despite everything I still believe people are really good at heart.” I don’t know about you but in the days following the election, I have had a hard time believing in these words as we have not been so kind to one another. We havent loved our neighbors as we love ourselves.
I am a woman who is always a lover and not a fighter. Yet I too even have not been the best example of being kind. I have had to pull back and ask for forgiveness for things I said. Not my finest moments in life. But now days later, I have been able to look back and see perspective
We have more in common than we realize. But sometimes our glasses get fogged up and we forget to wipe them clean,. We forget that we are individuals who are called to do justice, love kindness, and walk humbly with our God. I want us to remember the one thing that we all have in common is that God calls us to be people of love; a love that we freely give to all God’s beloved people.
And I want to close with the entire quote from Anne Frank because I believe they are appropriate in these days. “In spite of everything, I still believe that people are really good at heart. I simply cannot build up my hopes on a foundation consisting of confusion, misery, and death. I see the world gradually being turned into a wilderness. I hear the ever-approaching thunder, which will destroy us too. I can feel the sufferings of millions, and yet, if I look up into the heavens, I think that it will all come right, that this cruelty will end. And that peace and tranquility will return again. In the meantime, I must uphold my ideals. For perhaps, the time will come when I shall be able to carry them out!”
I like the Anne Frank quote and so true that we are called to be people of love even when we disagree. I know it's not easy- we have experienced something of that here too with the Brexit vote and the Scottish independence referendum and it is hard when there is so much division. Praying for you!
Lesley, it is not easy at all, but I truly believe it is what we are called to do. Thanks for the prayers. I appreciate them.
Anne Frank is quite an inspiration to draw from, isn't she, Tara. Things in life can be very overwhelming. I understand your point of view! Thanks for sharing.
She really is. And thanks for understanding and stopping by.
I have been missing FMF for months not weeks so I had to visit your blog when I saw your sweet face on the row of bloggers on the link up! Hope ND life is going well on the Prairie. Your words are sermon like and lovely! I really like Anne Frank also…it gives perspective on Veteran's Day too. We are at war in parts of our world still. We need the hope and the love that is child like and from Our Father. Love, Jenn
JENNIFER, it is so good to see you here. I have missed you. ND life is good. Amen friend. Love you!
I guess this is where we would differ my friend, and probably why our views are so opposite each other. People are created in the image of God and that is very good, but sin entered the world and affects all people. Without Jesus Christ we are as filthy rags.(Isaiah 64), Scripture also tells us that the heart is the most deceitful of all things and desperately wicked.(Jer. 17, nlt). If people were inherently good, there would be no ugliness, no murder, no sin and no need of a Savior. It's only through the blood of Christ that we become good in God's sight. Sin entered the world through one man, Adam, and salvation entered the world through another, Jesus Christ.
Ann Frank is one of my heroes, but it appears she was unsaved, (very little, if any reference to Jesus in her diary) and she was also a young girl held in captivity by events outside of her control. I'm sure she had wisdom in many areas different from our life of freedom but ultimately Jesus Christ is the author and perfecter of life and of all things good. I pray my words won't offend you my friend, but because I love you I'm taking the risk to say them.
Hi Christy! I so appreciate your comments. And I was not offended. I think it is important for us to listen to each other especially when we are on opposite ends of the spectrum. Love you too friend!
Oh, Tara! I was just reminded of a moment that I had this week. On Thursday my third story office windows were being cleaned during my lunch. My blinds were open (for natural light as I sat eating), and I watched as the worker applied the soap solution, cleaned the window and lowered his bucket to the next floor. The window still didn't look clean so I got up to check… and realized… that the spots that remained were on my side of the glass.
Tondra, I love the image you shared here. Isn't that how life often is too!?!?!
We can uphold our ideals through kindness and love. The day after the election social media was filled with judgment and hate as people upheld their ideals. I pray we can get back to the kindness and love part. Nice post, friend!
Julie, yes we can. And the day after the election was indeed nasty. I too pray we can get back to loving one another.
Oh, what a beautiful charge! Her legacy still speaks life to generations. Tara, I would have loved to see you in that play. That book and a play version of it were both pivotal in my understanding of history and the stories I emphasize with my own kids. Thank you for sharing this wonderful post. Your words always hit home with me, sister!
Thanks Christina! It was so fun to be in the play. I actually was in that play a few times; in college, a community production while in seminary etc. I have always loved Anne's legacy. I am so glad that my words always hit home with you!
We also must, painfully, remember that we are all sinners at heart. That man is naturally NOT good even though God made us to be good, it was all wrecked in the Fall. The only chance we have at being good and making change is through is grace. Praying for heaps and heaps of it in this trying season.
Amber, that is exactly where I am coming from. As a good Lutheran, I know that I am both "saint and sinner" in need of God's grace. Yep it was all wrecked in the Fall. I am praying right along with you!
Your post reminds me of Philippians 4:8 "Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable–if anything is excellent or praiseworthy–think about such things." Thank you for sharing your heart Tara!
I love that verse!
What a powerful quote. I just love it. By the way, I stayed the night in Minot while traveling to Winnipeg many years ago. I was mistaken and called it with a French pronunciation. It seemed nice there. We had a very safe and pleasant stay.
Thank You! That is so fun that you stayed in Minot one time. If you ever come through again, we should have coffee.
Great post, Tara. One of the things I realized from this election was that I was choosing between two public sinners whose difference from me is only that they are public figures.
My sins are every bit as vile, in the eyes of Christ. And He still extended grace…the grace we must extend in our turn.
Andrew, YES! God's grace is sufficient for us all!
I love that quote so much and it is so inspiring, Tara. Such a great time to reflect upon it and to see humans through the lens which God sees us through – love, forgiveness and utter grace. Thanks so much for posting!
Thank You, Emma!