Born in ‘63
The world at war over race
My parents with me
It was always said
Some have kids, some have mistakes
They had two and two
Two kids who they love
And two unwanted mistakes
Life is a gamble
Two kids to adore
Fifty/fifty chances there
Two more to regret
Mistake number One
Drugs and alcohol, she’s dead
Dear God, I miss You
Me, I’m Mistake Two
Not sure what to be and do
Seeking my own voice
When I was in 7th grade, age 11 for me, a contest was held to go to this bible camp in Estes Park Colorado. Even then, academics and travel were both something I was highly interested in. In order to be chosen for this camp, it was required to memorize 1 Timothy 2: 1 - 15 and be able to recite it at an interview. This whole section of Timothy is about studying, listening, learning, teaching and being a good servant. Aren’t those the best qualities of one who serves? Being willing to study, remain faithful, teach others and share knowledge without getting caught up in the ‘affairs of this life’?
My life has been one of service. To my partners, to my children, to educating others, to caring for prisoners and homeless people, people addicted to drugs and suffering from mental health issues. Being of service is where I thrive, it is what makes sense to me. Telling the truth about what’s working and what isn’t working makes sense to me. Telling the truth in order to educate and create change makes sense to me.
This makes sense to me in whatever capacity I’m working and serving. I may be doing accounting or paralegal work or real estate contracts but I’m still in service in those capacities. There’s still an opportunity for teaching and learning. There is always an opportunity to teach and to learn whether that’s from a couple whose been married for 45 years and refinancing their house, or the abused man who is getting a divorce and is afraid to say he’s been being abused, or the young entrepreneur who is chasing his passion but has no idea how to file taxes…all of these people have taught me something. Hopefully, I’ve taught them something as well.
This section of Timothy ends with the admonishment to ‘study to show thyself a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’ Study…so I do a good job and I don’t need to be ashamed of standing in the truth. And then, divide that truth…Divide means to share or share in parts. Dividing the word of truth means sharing what you’ve learned. If you know something and I know something and we both share that knowledge, we each know more than we did before. Which is a good thing.
If we work for the same organization, are part of the same family, are working in a volunteer capacity, wherever it is we’re serving with others, there should be no competition. What should be happening is completely sharing information and supporting one another in our common goal. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Therefore encourage one another and lift one another up. Romans 15:2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up.
I’m not a Christian, don’t claim to be walking in faith. What I do know, is the Bible has many lessons of how to live a life that is peaceful and full of love. It’s filled with admonishments to serve the poor, serve your neighbors and to stand in love and truth even when you’re standing alone. There is a great lesson in Titus 3:10 about people who like to stir shit up and create divisiveness. As for a person who stirs up division, after warning him once and then twice, have nothing more to do with him. It’s pretty clear. Avoid quarreling, speak with kindness and show courtesy to all people. When someone acts a fool, call them out. Twice even. Give them a couple chances to correct. When they don’t, walk away. Have nothing to do with them. Don’t talk shit. Don’t be vindictive. Simply: don’t have anything to do with them.
Maybe I’m simplifying too much: be kind, continue to study and learn, live a life of service, share knowledge, love everyone, and walk away from people who like to create conflict. Seems like pretty simple lessons to lead a peaceful life.
