Hold the Hate, Pass the Love - AuthorCynthiaHerron.com

Okay, I don’t know about you, but there are some weeks (like this one) that just leave me breathless.

I shake my head.

Heart-grieved.

Stricken.

Torn.

Enough, already.

Sometimes, I want to shout it. (But I don’t. Loud doesn’t necessarily mean brave. Think about it.)

Sometimes, a different (notice I didn’t say softer or quieter—just different) approach—is called for.

I’m speaking of the approach that calls for reason, compassion, love.

…the approach that generates a civil discourse between God-created humanity in the midst of belabored fallacies and innuendo.

…the approach that upgirds rather than inflames.

…the approach that draws, not castigates.

…the approach that, regardless of differences, embodies what a man went to the cross for. Hope.

Hope for today.

Hope for eternity.

Today I won’t ride the elephant in the room. Thousands have already done that so there’s no need to break out my sequined body suit and leotards.

Instead, may we just chat for a moment? You know—like the grown-ups we are—and share a heart-to-heart?

Ready?

Then, let’s.

In this big, beautiful world of potential, apathy and downright hate have run amok.

We’ve gone to the dogs and gnawed on the bones with them.

Opinions aren’t tolerated.

Arms aren’t extended.

We’ve dissected the complex to the mundane to the point of ridiculousness.

We’ve debated right and wrong in every shade of red, white, and blue.

We’ve raised the bar on who deserves what and then wondered where sanity went.

While we’ve espoused causes and justification, we’ve missed the mark and marched to the beat of a frightening drum.

Honestly, it’s grown wearisome.

Motivation has gone belly up in a sea of trivialities.

It’s true.

When good folks on Facebook can’t say “I like ice cream” without fear of being taken to task over the wrong kind, we’ve not only missed the mark, we’ve all but erased it.

Unfriending, unliking, and unloving may seem smart, but ignorance is not bliss.

Out of sight isn’t out of mind.

Of course, the caveat to that is given the state of things—public rants, harassment, and demonization of one’s beliefs—that may merit a friendship evaluation.

But. (You knew I was going to say this.)

To unlove because of affiliation, orientation, politics, or food choices?

By all that is holy (and I say this with the greatest reverence), what have we become?

Heaven, help us.

God doesn’t color-code sanctification according to our blemish-free perception of who deserves love—grace.

We do know this, however, regarding hate:

“…There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” (Proverbs 6:16-19 NIV)

Today’s thoughts are dedicated to those whose voices aren’t necessarily the loudest.

They’re the steadfast.

The hopeful.

The helpful.

The joy-sharers.

The fruit-bearers.

The ones who hold the hate and pass the love—without reservation.

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