Bumper Stickers

My husband does not like bumper stickers and will not have them on our vehicles. It is an aesthetic thing for him. For harmony's sake, this is something I just don't argue with him about.

I read stories this morning of not one, but TWO of the kindest, nicest people I know have been harassed by Trump supporters for their bumper stickers. Ironically, one of them had  "Give God the Glory" emblazoned in large letters on his back windshield. REALLY???

This is America. I may not agree with another persons choice of candidate, but cursing, harassing, and rude gesturing while driving is not only rude and uncalled for. It is UNSAFE, for crying out loud. 

I came very close to buying the bumper sticker pictured above at the Fair Trade Store today. Critical thinking is definitely not practiced nearly enough these days. But, on days like this, I could bypass the critical. I would be happy if people would just THINK. 

 



 

The Russians

I don't remember Duck and Cover myself, but I can remember older students talking about it. As if hiding under a desk was really any protection from an attack by the ultimate Bogeyman of my childhood...THE RUSSIANS! 

The first time I heard the test of the Emergency Broadcast System, I was scared out of my wits. It took my mama some time to reassure me that this was just something they put on TV periodically so that people would know what to look for and what to do in case THE RUSSIANS really attacked. Oddly enough, I don't remember her offering any platitudes about how that would never happen. 

When the Soviet Union was dissolved, I forgot about THE RUSSIANS for awhile. Other things seemed to be bigger threats. I was busy caring for an ailing mother and being a young wife. I did not live in the kind of fear I did when I was a child. 

I born during the Cold War. With Russia very much in the news lately, I find myself instinctively feeling that childhood fear of THE RUSSIANS. How can anyone born and reared during the Cold War forget the fear of total annihilation we lived with? I am having to cling to my faith as never before, remembering the 21 times that Jesus told us to "fear not", "don't be afraid", and to "have courage." 

Giving in to fear is not the answer. At least, not for me. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oHpEofHOdmQ

 

 

Let There Be Peace on Earth

I am certain that I am not the only one who is weary of turning on the television or logging into a news site and hearing news of horrific acts of violence all over the world. Ironically, yesterday, I was thinking not only of the USA, but Paris and Turkey as I chose this song for the anthem last Sunday. 

Until I got home from church, I did not know that yet another horrific police slaying was taking place right down the road in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. I began making phone calls to check on my loved ones there.  Thankfully, everyone was OK, but some of them were closer to the violence than I would have wished. 

I am so weary of the black and white, uncompromising thinking of today's world. Let there be peace, not just in America, but all over the world.