The Blind Eye

For your consideration…..

Yes, today is a holiday commemorating Dr. Martin Luther King but I did not know this quote until I started looking for a picture to do justice to our message today. It was exactly this;

“Love is NOT turning a blind eye.”

Since I do not believe in coincidences, when drawn to this picture and quote, I knew it was exactly perfect.

We talk about being financially responsible. You know, don’t spend more than you have whether it is a penny or a million. That same principle applies to our universal responsibility. Whether it is with our small children or an entire society, turning a blind eye to selfish/irresponsible acts is not an act of love or responsibility. Tough love is never easy. Being responsible is not always easy. Turning a blind eye is easier.

But is it really? It may seem so at the time but the long-term damage will in the end be much harder to repair. It is much harder to turn a society around than it is raising responsible citizens one child at a time. It is much easier to turn a blind eye to a society than stand up and call it what it is, putting a stake in the ground and saying no more.

The world did that in World War II. We stuck a stake in the ground and said no more. We refused to continue to turn a blind eye to the horror reports we were receiving. We clearly identified Hitler as the enemy. He had hijacked a country(s) while too many turned a blind eye. Today Germany is a vibrant world leader because Allies stood up and said no more. And we feel good that we did it.

The blind eye may seem the easier road but as Dr. King says, to do so “inflicts wounds on our soul.”

Most of us are very busy. It is not always easy to stay engaged in all that is going on. But engaged we need to be, not only in our society, but in our children’s well-being. It is easy to spoil them. It is easy to turn the blind eye and explain bad behavior away. It is easy to see them as the most precious of gifts we have ever received making it much harder to give consequences for inappropriate behavior. It is natural and right for children to push the limits. It is how they expand and grow. It is up to us to show them where crossing the line is. It is up to us to show them when they are a detriment to themselves and/or others. It is up to us to be the mirror. It is up to us to show them what a responsible citizen looks like.

That is the HOPE. And so it is.

Bit by bit, piece by piece, HOPE by HOPE action steps anyone can take…..

-Meditate/pray….ask…..”What is my next step for my highest good and the highest good of all?”

-Drink lots of water.

-Get outdoors and take in at least 10 deep breaths. The sun gives us so much. When it is cloudy out and the sun stays hidden, maybe it is our turn to take our sunshine out and share it where ever we go.

-Act with clear vision.

What made me smile yesterday…..

-An easy morning.

-Errands run.

-A good book.

-Cards made.

Love, Blessings and Gratitude,

Rev. Chris