Headlines & Life
Earlier today I was breezing through the headlines as fast as I could go, never wanting to get caught up in anything too deeply. I like to stay informed by headline so I don’t get too frenzied or callused by it all. I read a lot but I try to limit how much news and commentary I take in. I listen to audiobooks a lot also. Free audiobooks and wireless ear pods are finer things in life. The craziness of the news can get me way too fired up. What is fact? What is crap? How can they spew such blatant propaganda? I mutter things like “useful idiots” and “mental disorder”. Does anyone ever carry these things out to their conclusions? We can’t be that crazy, can we? Sometimes I even break into song - making up the lyrics as I go. Amusing myself for sure with my little diddies.
The truth is that I really enjoy politics and debate. I love it. I like the folks who do what they say they are going to do. I especially like the folks who get the right things done. I am not fond of political lying, cheating, and stealing but every part of the game fuels my giddy-up. I have determined to limit myself, otherwise that is all I think about when I should be focused on more important things. When it’s time to lose myself in meditation I’d rather be lost in much more positive things, like becoming an awesome man, husband, and father. The things that I do have control of.
I am not a right-wing or a left-wing guy and I’m definitely not in the middle. I like logic and I like to be right. I like to know that I know that I am right. When I know I am right I get dimples and twinkles - sly, pompous, dimples and twinkles of sweet joy to be sure. When one finds themselves contrary to my rightness they will likely be very frustrated. They may even lose their composure, which is not always the best way for me to win friends and influence people. Embarrassing ourselves through ignorance or foolishness is never fun and always leaves a mark. For many years now I ask myself, “When they leave our conversation or think of me later, do they see Jesus or one of the politicians or figureheads they hate?”
I think that is one of the reasons I like to preach the Word of God so much. In those brief moments I can be right, Super-right. I believe that the fine art of preaching lies in the ability to communicate truth (what is right), applying it to all of us without condescension or superiority, allowing our Lord to do what only He can do in our hearts. When you can do that you have every right to have permagrin.
The truth is what keeps me sane. It keeps me balanced. Truth is what allows me to remain calm in the midst of craziness. Last night Jill was expressing her concerns about the world around us. She asked me if I was concerned? I replied, “Not really,” then I asked her if she preferred me to be freaking out. She said, “If you start freaking out, I’m going to really start freaking out!” I think being as “cool as the other side of the pillow” is a strength but I know there is a fine line between calm confidence and fickle indifference. I like to think I am the former but only God knows for sure.
The headlines today scream impending doom, fear, hatred, anger, and blame. One headline caught me unexpectedly sideways, “Coronavirus now third leading cause of US deaths…” I started thinking about our leading causes of death. I got very emotional for a few seconds. I almost cried thinking of how sad and destructive it is to kill someone. Knowing you have taken a life out of convenience or fear. Knowing it was a choice and it didn’t have to happen. Killing someone has to tear you apart from the inside for the rest of your life. The intrinsic value of our life is so absolute that taking someone else’s life rages against our hearts. It must affect every relationship and decision forever. I have walked a mile or two down on a lot of different paths in life but I have never had to walk a mile in shoes that have taken innocent blood. I have no idea what that is like. I pray that my life will be love and compassion to those that have. I also pray that my logic and reason will always lead to life.
Recently an old man died that I think I would have liked to share a good laugh and a Coke with. So much to glean from our elders. I didn’t really give it much thought until he was gone.
A few weeks ago we learned that a friend from our hometown has cancer. That struck me in my heart also. I don’t think I have seen her since high school but the memories of our childhood together came flooding back. We were in the same class K-12. Before junior high (when I discovered other distractions) we competed for the best grades. I think I came in second or third most of the time. Good memories of more innocent times. I thought of when she lost her best friend, her husband, the father of her beautiful children several years ago now. I think of her daily and pray for her and all of her little ones. Life is so precious.
My son and his bride revealed the gender of our first grandchild this week. When I found out it was a boy I did a little dance around the house. I couldn’t help myself. A rush of happy-happy made me silly for a few seconds as I grabbed Gabriella’s hands and twirled around the house singing, “My family name continues! My family name continues! Baby Pete Farrell! Baby Pete Farrell.” I’m pretty sure his name will not be Pete. They were discussing potential names a few weeks ago. None of them were anything related to my side of the family. I mentioned it jokingly to Jill afterward. She calmly responded, “What are you talking about? You get the best part.” My face was stuck on smile for the rest of the evening. I’m smiling right now. It sounds a little selfish and trite I know but no matter what his first name is, his jersey will say, “FARRELL”. So sweet.