Tuesday, October 31, 2017

Didn't Feel Right...

Just as I was about to publish a post in late August, Harvey hit Texas.  Then, there was Irma.  And, another and another.  Then, Las Vegas.  It just didn't feel right to post joyful happenings while so many have lost so much. So much.

And, there is our news media.  If you just watched the news, you'd believe we were only a country filled with hate and bitterness.  I am not naive enough to think that vitriolic hatred, from both sides, does not exist.  We seem more polarized in the past several years than I can ever remember.  But, that is not ALL we are and I am s.i.c.k. of it... so sad and distressed that my grandchildren are growing up surrounded by this condition-of-the-heart-malignancy infiltrating our country.  And every single night, we are pummeled with divisiveness, entitlement, immaturity, irresponsibility, fury and hatred.

I just couldn't do it anymore.  I had to take a break.  It seems so many would rather tear apart than bring together.  I cut myself off of any source of media for awhile.

 Zachary about to head to Houston/Beaumont after we loaded every inch of his truck with supplies.  He and his friend joined the Cajun Navy... a bunch of fishermen and duck hunters.  Rednecks many would disparage.  I love 'em.  At their core... good country folks... good AMERICAN folks... No race, no religion, no age, no gender, no social status made a difference in the people they reached out to help.  They didn't wait for the government to do it for them.  They rolled up their sleeves and got it done.  That's the best of America.

What I saw for myself in Harvey was a bunch of good, everyday people... people who keep their heads down and work hard to provide for their families... load up, get in the fray, reach out, give what they could... to help ALL people who needed help.  I saw the BEST of our country... the heartbeat that keeps us alive.  They don't make the national news.  They don't stand in the streets protesting.  They go to work every day to make our America better... by showing up, by being kind, by doing the right thing, by raising their families the best way they can.  They have their own burdens and hardships just like anyone else.  YOU DON'T HEAR FROM THEM.  They quietly go about their lives.  They struggle.  They pay taxes.  They either can't or barely can afford the "affordable" health care.  Still they pitch in to help others in need... I could go on... but, then I become just like the folks that I am so disheartened with...  

I'm not sure when it's going to feel right again...  But, if anything came out of these terrible disasters for me, it was a reminder that at the very core of our country, there are everyday heroes.  I love them.  I love what they stand for.  I love that they are quiet, strong heartbeats.  I love that as long as they exist, there is hope for our country.  So, I am going to continue to focus on remembering them in the face of the cacophony of anger and entitlement (from both sides).  I am going to hold to the GOOD, the RIGHT, the HONORABLE, the KIND, the HOPEFUL, the GRACIOUS... the JOYFUL.

"Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.  What you have learned and received and heard and seen in me -- practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you."  ~ Ephesians 4: 8-9

Stand strong.

blessings ~ tanna

11 comments:

Schnitzel and the Trout said...

Amen, my dear friend, Amen. You have written my thoughts as I could never express on paper. Hugs to you. Peace.

From the Kitchen said...

Alas, good news rarely sells news!! I am so tired of hearing "Make America Great Again". America has never ceased being great. "Bring God back into our lives". God has never left us and he never will. I won't belabor the point any further. I, too, rejoiced in seeing so many people helping so many people. I've tried avoiding the news but it is everywhere. It was good to spend a little time with you this morning!!

Best,
Bonnie

From the Kitchen said...

P.S. A huge thank you to Zachary and all those who simply "got it done"!!

B

Christine said...

I'm standing up and applauding you and ALL who see the GOOD!
I too, am sick of the hate!
God is Love and we are commanded to love one another.

You are a welcome "sight". Glad you took a break and came back.

Stitchy Mc Floss said...

You truly took the words that were in my heart and wrote them on your blog. I feel the same way. I haven't written anything on my blog in a while, or even a short story, because of all the disrespectfulness and out right hate that seems to be everywhere. God Bless the Cajun Navy and all those who have helped others, caring not who they are or what they believe, but that they were fellow humans in need. Ephesians 4: 8-9 is just perfect. Blessings to you and yours always sweet friend. :)

podso said...

You've done so well expressing what's been in your heart these weeks. And now since you wrote, yet another sad event. But you're right, I don't think anything can suppress the great American spirit and our faith in God. I know you are proud of your son and the others with him that just went and served and made a difference.

handmade by amalia said...

I'm glad you're posting again, Tanna. It is a crazy world and getting crazier so our little haven here in blogland is all the more necessary.
Amalia
xo

Judy S. said...

Awesome post, Tanna! So glad to have you back posting; you were missed! Hugs.

karen said...

for about a year I have been tap dancing around the consumption of the news. The natural disasters are heartbreaking to see. The violence is worse since it shows someone's ill will. However no matter what, there are good good people, we have to look for them!

Bonnie said...

Great thoughts today. I couldn't blog for a while either. It did not seem right.

We rarely watch mainstream tv and that includes the news.My husband watches college sports and the world series. We watch old movies and PBS series and that's about it. I did watch the weather channel during the bad weather.
I applaud your son for helping so many people.
We all need to aspire to Ephesians 4: 8-9.

Lynne said...

Your son is of the precious . . .
I thank him . . .
And you. . .
I am with you . . .

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Numbers 6:24-26

The Lord bless you and keep you;
the Lord make his face shine upon you and be gracious to you;
the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace.