America

I don't like to write about politics, or post it on Facebook.  I fear I would wind up alienating half of my friends, or offending them.  I also fear I might be wrong.  Besides, I write on my blog to encourage, (except when I have my period, no holds barred), and I usually try post positive or funny things on Facebook, as there is too much negativity in the world.  I don't have any right to try to convince people they are wrong and I am right.  For all I know, I could be wrong!  That is what is so great about our country, we are free to choose.

Every week I pray for a specific ministry for Samaritan's Purse, as I get their Prayer Point booklet for specific prayer requests.  It always saddens me as I read about a group of people suffering in the world, and I am reminded of how good I have it.

Once in a while I will get an email on my Klippel-Feil website from a parent of a child with KFS.  That saddens me too, especially when the family lives in the Middle East, as it seems that in at least parts of it, health care is limited, especially for children with disabilities.  And I am thankful that I live in a country and a time such as this.

So even though this election is horrible and I wonder who the heck to vote for, I have to remember that no matter what, I still live in the greatest country on God's green earth.  We are a republic, rule based on law.  This means that the Constitution and the Bill of Rights dictate what we do, not politicians.  And they can't change it, no matter how much they want to or try.  For it is by the people, for the people, of the people.  It is not ruled by the media, it is not ruled by politicians.  It is ruled by us.

I am a free woman.  I can vote for whom I want, I can believe in whom I want.  I can do what I want.  God gave us a free mind, He expects us to use it.  Yes, there are consequences, but freedom is most important.  We are the only truly free country.  Even free to be hateful and mean.  Not a good idea but too many people died to ensure our freedoms.  I don't want to throw that away.  And too many people are dying now for freedom.  I don't want to take for granted what others don't have.  

Because I am free.

Lay Your ____ on the Altar

I read this book years ago about a woman whose son wound up in jail for a prolonged period.  She worried about him constantly, until she was reminded of the story in the Bible about how Abraham almost sacrificed his son, Issac, on the altar of God.  

I used to think this was a macabre story, which it still is.  But it also teaches me that I can't hold on to people or things that don't belong to me.  I can't fix people, I can't control what they say or do, although I very much want to.  But then again, I am not God, and I would make a very terrible one.  So I constantly have to choose to lay my worries on the altar of God, trusting that He knows what He is doing, trusting that He loves His creation more than I do, and I just have to let go.  It is so hard to let go.  But I know I can't hold on.  I can't do this life on my own. 

So I keep trying to remember that fateful day so long ago, when Abraham was about to make the toughest decision of his life, and try to be like him.  To trust God and let go.  

Woe is my Period

I had a heck of a time trying to figure out what to write about this week.  I am feeling particularly crabby I suppose because my period is coming up, and as usual i opened my big fat mouth without thinking.  I hate that. My mouth moves faster than my mind.  

My birthday comes up next Monday, which is apparently the day we also celebrate Columbus Day.  Why do we celebrate Columbus Day?  I don't think he was ever in North America, was he?  As far as I know, he was just in central and South America.

And my birthday is in October, a time of year that I don't particularly like.  Halloween, like so many other holidays, have become so commercialized, hence the meme above.  Everywhere you go is pumpkin this and pumpkin that.  What if I don't like pumpkin.  Autumn also means the end of my favorite season, summer.  But I do like my birthstone, which is opal, so I guess it isn't a total wash.

I also think insurance is a scam.  It is basically a scheme to save money by paying someone else to do it.  I can save my own money very well thank you.  But to drive, I am forced to have car insurance.  And because of my health problems, I am forced to have health insurance.  My fees increased 25% last year.  I heard now that they will increase 50% this year.  Are they saying that I will be paying almost double what I started with?  What do I look like?  A bank?

I also get discouraged about our impending election.  No matter who gets in, half the country will be upset and threaten to cause all kinds of problems.  I don't like that we have strayed so far from the ideals set forth from the founding fathers when they created the Constitution.

I am sure that next week everything will be back to normal.  If you don't get a period, consider yourself lucky.  For some people it is not such a big deal,but for others, its a living hell.  Maybe I should check myself into a rubber room so I can be alone.  I feel like a Dr. Jekyll and  Mr. Hyde.