Learning From History: A Reluctant Global Citizen

We have learned from history that socialism sucks the life out of a nation. We've experienced this soul "sucking" this past week when the President basically acknowledged that he had no choice but to reopen the government. The socialists won a great victory. America as we know it is on its last legs. Some will tell me that there is hope. America can pull itself out of the morass and stand on its own. I want to believe that.

The 2016 election had given me some hope that we wouldn't be sucked in completely with the one world government currently being secretly formed. I don't know now if it is even possible to save the United States of America as a separate, sovereign nation. The global community is just too strong and unwilling to let us go. You hear it everywhere. There is no America, no real United States anymore. There is only the global community that sucks the lifeblood out of individuals.

No, it's not like Hitler's Germany. Some would like to suggest that it is. The left especially seems to want to paint our current status as a nation as backward. They are pushing hard to indoctrinate young people to embrace the new world order. Young people are vulnerable and highly teachable to this doctrine of global unity.

I am a reluctant global citizen. I didn't ask to be assigned to struggle to find meaningful work while trying to maintain my moral core. I didn't want to have to compete with a global workforce to find work. I am not comfortable with having to defend my faith against those who would use it as a battering ram. I weep when I see those that are barely getting by because there are just too many of us to support.

I admit that I'm not looking forward to the future of this country as it succumbs to the strong forces that are threatening to dissolve it. Yes, I know that God is in control. Yet I also know that this country has abandoned God. We are being foolish if we think that God won't take his hand away from us. God is a just God. He will, however, make a way for his people. I have to believe that or wallow in despair. He has been with me through this dark tunnel and he will guide me home.

Feeling The Affects of a Government Shutdown

If someone told me that I would be affected by a government shutdown, I might not have believed them. The government has shut down before now. I know that it has done it too frequently lately but it hasn't really affected me until now.

You may ask how it has affected me. The fact is that government shutdowns affect government services. Some of those services directly affect my quality of life. For instance, processing benefits have slowed considerably. There is also a concern that some benefits won't be processed at all due to the shutdown. I am affected when I know that those benefits are desperately needed. I don't know and can't speculate what will happen if those benefits aren't processed. The Lord knows what I need.

I am affected when I hear about the strife happening around me. I don't want to get into it but can't help but be drawn into it. I try not to focus on my own selfish needs here. It isn't productive to dwell on those needs. Yet I do feel stuck wondering what I can do to ease the tension and meet the needs of the people around me. I pray for peace.

There are some lessons to be learned here. We can wallow in despair feeling that everyone is against you or we can take courage and move forward. We can't compromise, even when it hurts. Compassion has to be tempered with common sense.

It has been hard to watch the mainstream media's take and the congress's take on the current situation. I'm trying to have an open mind on why this is happening now. I'm also trying to look at both sides and find the logical explanation for the shutdown. Congress is not giving any logical reasons why they won't allow those funds to be dispersed. Frankly, it has become terribly expensive and frustrating to listen to the "talk" and not see any action.

Another Year Starting Over and Moving On

The holidays are now gone. I can't say how they went for me. I did put up a small tree and took it down today. I also got some closure from the loss I've been feeling. I am glad that my parents are not living now. I know that's strange to say. Yet it is also freeing because I know where they are.

Older senior citizens are going to be and have been affected by the many changes going on in this world. They are less adaptable to them. I do know that they wouldn't have lasted long under the tremendous pressure being exerted by government and private industry to conform.

As I reflect and mull over the distressing news I heard from all corners, a still small voice echoes that God is in control. This season of life that I'm still in the midst of has taught me to trust him for all things. It is a daily lesson. He has richly provided for me. He knows my needs. I shouldn't worry about anything.

The new year is a perfect time to start over. One of the lessons I'm learning is to focus and pray about God's will in my life. I don't want to go back to the selfish way of life I had. It isn't all about me. I am moving on from a selfish and anxious way of life. I can share the love God has lavished on me. I don't have to mourn and carry on for a way of life that is now gone. I can't cling to the past anymore but I can use the lessons I learned to create a pathway to the future.

The world wants to think that they control me. In some ways, it may seem to be true. It is very easy to manipulate data to make it seem that something happened when it didn't. It is hard to believe anything anymore. Yet I do believe. I believe in Jesus Christ and the redemption I have in him. He is my anchor in this storm that I'm going through and he will see me through it.

Step by step I move forward into his perfect will. I am not afraid to start over and move on now. I know that the Lord is with me every step of the way.

Christmas In Heaven: Grieving Through the Holiday

I kept myself busy these past two weeks. I didn't want to think about Christmas or what it would now mean. I am only now getting to the point of accepting that my parents are no longer here on Earth. They are spending their first Christmas in Heaven with my paternal grandmother who died eighteen years ago this month.

Some days are better. The heavy weight of loss doesn't slam into me then. I don't stress about what I'm going to do without them. I trust that the Lord does have my best interests at heart. I know that he loves me better than I love myself.

I don't look forward to Christmas. I admit this freely. There are some things I just can't do, like put up the tree. I do have one small tree that I decorated but haven't the heart to keep the lights on it. It is hard to even think about gifts either. I feel guilty and stressed whenever I start to think about gifts. I know that my family doesn't expect anything from me. Yet I do want to do something for them. I also long to do something to remember my parents and grandparents. I don't want to forget them like many have.

Someday I will see them again. I wouldn't wish them to come back here to this increasingly dark planet. I know that they are with the Lord. When I remind myself of the Lord's promises I can move forward in his light.

The experts say that the first year is the hardest. I have to agree. My heart does ache with the loss. Yet I wouldn't deprive them of the joy they are now experiencing in the light of God's love. God knows the pain I'm feeling now all too well. He gave his only son that we may have eternal life. It is through Jesus that we are redeemed.

A Town in Mourning: Loss of a Local Icon

I live in a small town on the outskirts of a major city. This small town like many small towns was at one time proudly independent. It was suburban in the way it was run by local officials. The local officials were involved in every aspect of the town making sure everything ran smoothly. They cared about their citizens and always tried to meet their needs. They stood up when evil forces tried to ruin the town. They had a good strong police force and reliable fire departments to help citizens and the surrounding communities.

The mayor of these small towns is considered the "backbone" of the town providing support and encouraging growth. Mayor Frank Kelly definitely filed the role. He provided support and encouraged growth. He also was a champion of historical preservation until fairly recently. He saved the former Collingdale High School building from demolition in 1986. He encouraged the establishment of the Collingdale High School Alumni Association by providing them with a room to store all the treasures of Collingdale in what is now known as the Alumni room.

The very recent loss of Mayor Kelly will leave a gap in the administration that will be hard to replace. There will be some radical changes, some will be very hard to take even though the town has been fading away for a little while. Some will blame this fading away on "white flight".  Collingdale was at one time in the 1960s about 80 percent white with about 20 percent black. Today the percentage is almost, but not quite the reverse. I would say around 70 percent black and 30 percent white. Some will blame the fading away on the economy. Yes, the economy does play a big factor in this. Yet I do see the biggest change in the administrating being the fact that globalization has effectively wiped out the pride of small towns and made them ineffective.

Being Thankful in The Midst of Pain and Sorrow

This Thursday Americans like myself will be celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends. This year will be very different for me and my family though. We will be missing our mother and father. It really hasn't sunk in that I won't ever see their faces again in this life. I keep thinking that one day I'll see them again here on Earth. It's silly. They aren't coming back.

People mean well. They all say that they are in a better place. I should be thankful, but it still hurts. I can't help thinking about how really quick it was. Was it only this time last year that my father felt well enough to eat Thanksgiving dinner? I can still see him struggling though to swallow even then. I really can't recall that last real meal that he enjoyed. I know that Thanksgiving was his favorite holiday.

My mom wasn't a turkey fan. She loved pecan pie though. I made it for her every year until she couldn't eat it anymore due to her teeth. I didn't make it last year, but I did make pumpkin pie. I will miss her sweet potato casserole with the marshmallows. I know my niece will miss the green bean casserole she used to make.

I am finding it hard to be thankful right now. The pain is overwhelming as I try to process that my grandmother, mother, and father are now all gone. Everything is changing as the traditions I cherished are dissolving like snow. Lord, please help me through this veil of tears. Rid me of the feeling of being all alone. I am not alone. You are with me, Lord.

The Sufferer's Holiday-Surviving the Pain and Loss

It wasn't that long ago that my parents were relatively healthy. I can still recall the last time my father stood in front of me and hugged me. I didn't know at the time that it would be the last time. My father wasn't a demonstrative man. He didn't hug excessively. I can also recall a time before my mother broke her hip when she actively participated in life with her baking.

I will miss them. The holidays will be tough without them. I heard it said that this time of year is the sufferer's holiday. I'm not sure if I agree or not. I know that I'm not looking forward to Christmas this year. If I were honest with myself, I'd have to admit that Christmas hasn't been a good holiday for me since my grandmother died in 2001. She died right before Christmas which really put a damper on the holiday for me.

I have survived the pain and loss then. At least I like to think that I've survived. My parents' deaths though have opened that wound. I feel the despair and wonder if I'll make it through. Everyone is telling me that I really need to take care of myself. It is very hard. I do feel like I've been torn in two. This past week it was finally settled that I would take over Mom's estate. It felt final. There was no going back.

I remember how God grieves for me. I ask myself why he should care. Then I remember the redemption story how he came to Earth to die for my sins. Jesus is acquainted with suffering. He feels our pain. That is a great comfort to me. He is no faceless god but a true living God. Thank you, Lord, for your remarkable gift.