As we seek a greater understanding, even a perfect knowledge, there is no need to forsake the faith of a child.

These are but one and the same rather than being something different. The child believes whereas the adult seeks to prove. If it is of God, whether given or inspired by God, the belief and the proof are the same.

Saith Me… Ministering to the Needs

Ministering to the needs of others requires an open mind, a loving heart, and unfettered time.

Unlike in the structured world of employment, ministering in not as much about solving problems as it is about providing what is needed.

Identifying a problem is easy; identifying a need is much more complicated. Sometimes the need may be as simple as having someone take the time to listen.

Problems are so much easier to solve after the needs are addressed – after the time, love, and companionship is freely given.

Unfollow, restrict, unfriend, block: the value of remaining Facebook friends versus the value of separation.

I keep asking myself about the difference between Facebook and the old fashioned social world were I was always advised to choose my friends wisely. Guilt by association is a real thing in some societal circles.

Do we follow the same rules in a social media world? Do we remain Facebook friends with those we would never want to socialize with in person?

If we ignore behavior on Facebook, or things we find unsavory, are we enabling or validating the people with whom we associate any more or less than we do in the workplace, the school, the store, the neighborhood?

Unfollow, restrict, unfriend, block: the value of remaining FB friends versus the value of separation.

It is something to ponder.

The Toddler Years Part Two

When our children are little, wearing well-padded diapers and toddling around exploring their world, we worry. We want them to expand their understanding of their world, but we are often consumed with worry of potential falls and injuries.

While the toddler years are rough on parents, society warns us to be prepared for the really challenging teen years ahead. What we fail to realize as we worry our way through each new phase is that in all the years of our children’s youth we are there to catch them when they fall. They live in our homes, drive our cars, eat our food, spend our money, and are protected by our insurance. Just like the toddler in the thick diaper, our youth are buffered. Their inevitable stumbles and falls will occur while we are nearby to care for their injuries and sooth their fears.

Society fails to warn of the level worry we will feel when our child exits our home as a legal adult. So much like the toddler years, early adulthood is filled with challenges and adventures that will most certainly result in falls and injuries. There certainly will be near misses and startled emotions, and there will be periods of great frustration. Regardless of how well we prepare them for the world, they will toddle once again as they develop a surety in their own balance. Only this time around, we will not be on the spot to reassure them or sooth them.

While we parents are warned of many things as we work our way through the stages of our children’s growth, we seem to seldom hear the sage warning that those toddler years were preparatory for the day when we would hug the adult child and then watch them toddle away from our home.

Success of Nations

A nation’s success is dependent on its people having an understanding of what makes it successful. Authoritarian governments seek success through suppressing information, and through spreading misinformation. In a democratic republic where the people have the right to vote, it is vital for information to be shared and debated. Discourse, preferable civil discourse, is essential for national success. However, too many people, who enjoy the benefits of a democratic republic, seek to hide from discourse. For whatever reasons they may give, at the end of the day, they are seeking to hide from the very responsibility they have in the maintenance of their nation and its success.