Trust us, we’re not the experts.
We say that a little “tongue in cheek” because when it comes to the news we think experts are great and all, but too practiced and precise. Sometimes we don’t know whether those talking heads are really helping us discern anything or if they’re just parrots reading the news with no regard for how you and I could use this information (reminds us of Evan in Bruce Almighty: “The White House reception committee greeted the Prime Ribroast Minister and…I like-a-do da cha-cha” Well said, Mr. Anchor.)
We “Writing In Pencil” gals have felt challenged to look at some of the deeper, more complex issues of our time (see Megan’s poetry posted during Easter). After all, issues like what happened in Ferguson and countries like Iran are confusing…and oh by the way, there’s conflict – lots of it. And life has enough of that already, eh? Why would we try to tackle harder subjects? Why not leave it up to the Wolf Blitzers and the Rachel Maddows of the world?
We’ve been thinking about it and we see a pattern: Less knowledge of sticky topics makes those topics easy to ignore. When we see parts of the Bible (like Ephesians 4:15 and 2 Timothy 2:15) that tell us to find and hold the Truth without shame, we can’t ignore it and we don’t think you should either.
We’ll call these segments: “Why This Matters To Moms”
So we’re buckling down, digging in, sharpening our pencils and asking questions YOU might ask (ie; what the heck is ISIS?). We aren’t afraid to ask a dumb question or two (ie; What does Sunni or Shiite even mean?) and we might even do a little discerning (ie; What can we DO about this?).
So where do we start?
We’ll start with ISIS. <gulp>
So trust us BECAUSE we’re not the experts…but merely semi-willing learners. We hope you’ll take a minute to read it. This stuff’s important. Roll your sleeves up with us and seek to KNOW a few more things about this crazy world. In a couple of days, we’ll post the first piece. Maybe do a little research on your own so we can all compare notes. We’re in this together.
Megan’s Take: Oh man, oh-man-o-shevitz! (Apparently that is a kosher wine, by the way and I may need stiff drink of it right about now.) I can’t decide if I’m excited we’re thinking of entering into such tricky territory or completely terrified! But more than anything, I don’t want to be the type of people who stick our head in the sand, our fingers in our ears and pretend like none of this is actually happening. Yes, we’re Moms — volunteering, going to work, raising kids and shuttling carpool. But we’re also Jesus-lovers and global citizens of this great big world — God’s world. We care about those around us and pray desperate prayers that God would shine light in the darkest of places. So — here we go! Christina has DEFINITELY taken one for the team getting us started with a biggie. You will be blessed by her research/writing. You will also walk away informed and challenged in a “Writing in Pencil” kind of way. And PLEASE, we would LOVE to hear from you!! Do you agree with our assessments? Heartily disagree? Healthy dialogue and discussion is also super important to us. We value your voice. Don’t be shy! We are blessed by your words to us as well….
Holly’s Take:
Before my husband died, I started growing quite cynical about Sunday morning church. The hundreds of people in their Sunday best, their families sitting in rows, and their excitement about Jesus pretty dulled. After Dave died, it was a whole different view. Church people (as well as so many others) hung up their dresses, put away their ties and put on their gifts. The church outside of the building went into action and now I’ll never see the church the same way. But I fear that others will. I don’t want to be a part of the illusion that churchy people only care that they look like they’ve got it together (not that I’ve probably ever really looked like that, myself), but I want to be a part of a movement that says, I love, because Jesus loved me first. I want to care about what Jesus cared about and there is not one single doubt in my mind that Jesus’s heart is for those who are suffering at the hands of ISIS, the poor, the fatherless, the persecuted, the hurting. I can say with confidence that as the three of us have just barely started to scratch the surface of these issues, my heart has already become more tender to it. I haven’t sent money or headed to the Middle East to fight on the front lines, yet, but as I learn more, I think my heart is becoming more aligned with what Jesus cares about?
writinginpencil 