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October 27, 2017

The Sand Burrs in Life

13 Comments/ 106/ 1

Sand burrs are the worst.

If you have ever encountered a sand burr at the beach you can most certainly identify with me.

This week as I enjoyed some of the most wonderful days of October at my happy place known as “any beach I am visiting” I encountered that invasive pest.  The sand burr is one of those things that you don’t realize is there until you walk barefoot.

The spiky pointy edges of the burr attach themselves willy nilly to clothing and bare feet in my case and can make a grown woman tear up before it is extracted.  It is a nuisance.

It is one of those things that makes me wonder why God thought they should exist.

But aren’t there a lot of things that “we” wonder why God allows them in our world?

Hate and racism.

Narrow mindedness.

Bullying.

Ugly words.

Pride.

Lying.

Willingly doing evil.

Lying about someone else to the point of causing them harm.

Stirring up discord.

Now those are all things that seem much worse than a sand burr, don’t they?

A sand burr is an irritant without a doubt but once it is removed it is gone.  Even if the skin has been punctured there is no long lasting effect once it has healed.  It becomes a distant memory and life goes on.

But those other things?  Not so much.  The effects of hate and racism, bullying and lying go on and on.   They feed upon themselves and oftentimes the feelings and actions get multiplied when others observe and join in.

I am not a theologian but I do know that we do not live in a perfect world.  That choice was made long ago and somehow we have to figure out how to live in a world where there is evil and ugliness.

As a Christian I strive to live each day in a Christ like manner.  Some days are much better than others.  It is easy to live a “good ” life when I am surrounded by wonderful things and wonderful people.  God asks more of me than to just be good.

8 But he’s already made it plain how to live, what to do,
    what God is looking for in men and women.
It’s quite simple: Do what is fair and just to your neighbor,
    be compassionate and loyal in your love,
And don’t take yourself too seriously—
    take God seriously.

Micah 6:8  The Message

So today I am going to strive to do more than just be good.  I am going to live like God wants me to live.  I am going to fight against all of those things that He hates.  I am going to stand up for the bullied, the underdog and the maligned.  I am going to be bigger than the evil that is in the world.

I am going to embrace all of the things that make me uncomfortable and address them. I am going to stand strong in the face of evil. Maybe, just maybe, I can remove a single sand burr that will hurt someone else in some way.

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13 Comments

Leave a comment
  1. Bernadette
    October 27, 2017 at 07:02 am

    A wonderful call to action. Did you see the Burger King video about bullying. It is marvelous.

    Reply
  2. Becky McClamrock
    October 27, 2017 at 08:00 am

    Great reminder for us all! Thanks!!

    Reply
  3. Marci B
    October 27, 2017 at 08:06 am

    Nicely written!

    Reply
  4. Jena
    October 27, 2017 at 08:06 am

    Thanks for your post. Your words reminded me of the poem “Ouwitted” by Edwin Markham
    He drew a circle that shut me out–
    Heretic, a rebel, a thing to flout.
    But Love and I had the wit to win:
    We drew a circle that took him in!

    Reply
  5. Mama's Empty Nest
    October 27, 2017 at 09:19 am

    Amen! Jesus told us we would have trouble in this world and that includes all of the hatefulness and evil that we encounter, but we strive to shine His light into that darkness. And oh, what a hard job it is! He shows us how to do so in His Word. Like you, I will try my best to be Christ-like so others see Him in us. If you can’t tell already, I love this post and I love your heart, sweet friend.

    Reply
  6. Minnesota Prairie Roots
    October 27, 2017 at 09:47 am

    Such a pertinent topic. This week some 1,500 elementary school students in my community gathered at a park for an event focused on bullying. Song, music and speakers carried the anti-bullying message and a highlight on unity and getting along.

    Great post.

    Reply
  7. Josh
    October 27, 2017 at 09:55 am

    As always you’re a beacon of light in a dark world. Don’t change sister.

    Reply
  8. Dawn
    October 27, 2017 at 11:08 am

    It’s sometimes scary to stand up to hate and bullying and racism. I always wonder what I can say or do that will make a difference, but that’s how these things gain the upper hand, but all of remaining silent because we don’t know how to change things. I guess we just need to make a noise when we see something. Eye contact, calm words that decry the situation, support for the victim. It all counts.

    Reply
  9. priscillaking
    October 27, 2017 at 02:37 pm

    Well, this is a rarity–I like this but it’s left me with nothing to say 🙂

    Reply
  10. thewritesteph.com
    October 30, 2017 at 04:54 pm

    These are wonderful thoughts, Beth Ann! I definitely want to be a part of this thing called Christianity. Love, joy, peace, patience…We could all use a lot more of that in the world!

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      October 30, 2017 at 05:01 pm

      Amen. Yes! A million times.

      Reply
  11. susi_snaps
    October 30, 2017 at 10:19 pm

    💕 You manage to spread joy and goodness wherever you go, and in my mind those are some of the best things to counter hate and evil.

    Reply
    1. Beth Ann Chiles
      October 31, 2017 at 08:01 am

      You are correct—-being the light helps take some of the darkness away and I really do try. A lot of people do–you included. Thanks for stopping by!

      Reply

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