Today , September 8th, is the 11th anniversary of my Mum’s passing.

One thing that I will always remember about my Mum is her ability to be loving and forgiving and extend that to the people that she met.

I pray that my kids could say the same for me.

As someone who has been teased about being a chatterer, I embrace those around me. I love interacting. This wasn’t always so, being such a shy child. I have found that my love for the uniqueness of people is what I am so drawn to.

This past week, I have seen a lot of people. Had lunch with a longtime friend and attended 2 celebrations of life of 2 sisters that passed exactly a week apart. It is so hard to lose people.

I feel that is why I enjoy people so much. Knowing that our time on earth is limited.

Yesterday, we had not only one but two of Leonard’s sisters drop by. Neither knew the other was going to be here. What a blessing!

Having stated these things, I do fail at times to bring blessing to others.

Social media can be a useful tool in connecting with people but more often than not, it causes division. I have to admit that I, too get angered by things I witness on social media. I am appalled that it is flooded with articles that have very little truth in them. People share these articles without checking their validity. Often, they are negative about people in politics.

Recently, I am embarrassed to admit that I have fallen into this trap. Even though I HAVE checked into validity of claims, I have engaged in commenting on some articles. I apologize to everyone for doing this.

We have a candidate in our state that I feel is a danger to all of us. I have listened to him speak and he has a mantra that he recites over and over that causes people to think that he is a “good guy”. Yet, if you listen to how he addresses people, what he is actually saying and how he lashes out below the belt, you realize he is someone who not only would not be good for us but will be a danger. He is big on criticizing the president. So, many people don’t actually listen to what he says. They think that if he’s against Trump, he has to be good. You should not compare him to anyone- if you vote for him, it should be because he would benefit our state and country.

This, has occupied my mind for quite some time and it has spilled out in social media. This should not be.

As I was reading in James 3:1 where it states, “Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgement.”

When we first read this, we think to ourselves, “ I am not a teacher, so this does not apply to me.”

But…

It goes on to say,”for we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a “perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.”

Whenever we try to make a point about something and we think we are right- we are trying to be teachers.

I pray for forgiveness for this. We are also called not to slander.

So, instead I am choosing to pray for this man.

James also teaches that “out of the same mouth proceeding blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be.

So, with the Lord’s help. I plan on not having blessing and cursing come out of my mouth.

We so often fall on our own understanding and it is so flawed. May we always draw back to our Lord who guides and yes, reveals to us when we are going astray.