VILLIANNESS RICH?

"I make no apologies for the fact that I am considered one of the rich in this nation, but I am proud of the fact that our single largest annual expense (excluding taxes) is charitable contributions, and I happen to know that that is the case with many of our persnal friends who are also well-to-do."
Ben Carson with Candy Carson
America The Beautiful
Zondervan 
p. 76

I've held a pretty consistent bitterness, through some tough years, toward rich people--those rich enough to buy new and those rich enough not to worry. I've been hurt by some who judged me by the street I lived on; that's true. Self-pity played its part. So did my upbringing.

If someone was rich, they were probably crooked too: Like the doctor who never does quite everything needed to get you better--so he can keep charging you for office calls and services. Or, that family that looks rich: it's all on a charge card (1960s). In my household, rich people were suspect. 

If I'd read Carson's books earlier, I'd have held him suspect too. "He doesn't understand. My circumstances are different." Self-pity and victim-hood would have prevailed. 

When Ray got hurt on the job, early in our marriage, we fought for workman's compensation--and lost. I suppose I did feel entitled. Workman's comp is an insurance that's paid for. Yet, they discovered at age 27, that Ray had a genetic issue. Never bothered him before, but . . .

We ended up on welfare. I'll tell you, by the time you jump through their hoops, you feel darn entitled! You've earned whatever paltry dollars and food stamps you get.

That being said, one of Ben Carson's buzz words is work. I hope to write him one day, to agree but to share why it took me so long to believe.

With Ray unable to work, I tried selling Fuller Brush door to door. I gained little more than bounced checks. Following Ray's job change, but another injury, I tried McDonalds. They paid me enough to have someone, besides me, care for our children. Every dollar I earned decreased our welfare in like measure. It didn't seem "work" worked for me. When Ray got a job he could do, we took a cut in pay from welfare. Had they just left us with medical assistance for small children prone to strep and ear infections, it would have been a tremendous help.

As it turned out, we got snarky shame-filled comments from medical receptionists. "You might have to give up movies, or skating, or . . . " People do those things?  I wanted to say. Instead, I cried.

That further rooted my bitterness toward the comfortable and wealthy. BUT . . .
I'm changing. As I've read books these last couple years, I've begun to recognize how many rich people have poured into, and continue to pour into our nation . . . and to help the disadvantaged with medical help and education. 

I haven't read a lot of rags-to-riches stories, but I'm especially appreciative of Carson's. Because of the way his mother responded to their situation, I believe he "does" understand both sides.

I, in my entitlement mentality, would tax the rich to give more to the poor. But I understand now why the wealthy take their businesses outside our borders. They don't get taxed to death (punished for their hard work) in other countries. They take their money to a safe place. Unfortunately, they take jobs with them--jobs we need! 

I understand, among some rich, there is the greed factor. There is the slave labor piece. At this time, I can't speak to that. But I consider the Serenity Prayer thoughts. What can I change? What can't I change? For the time being, what I can change or at least work toward is how I vote. I will no longer vote toward socialist measures--the Robin Hood mentality of taking from the rich to give to the poor. (Understand, I also wouldn't vote for corporate welfare and loopholes.) There are flaws in capitalism; but if it encourages work and ingenuity, I think it's a good place to start. I believe there are opportunities for us all; encouragement is what we need.

More Later. Till then . . . 
EverGrowing,
Lonnie 

RAMBLINGS, CONVICTIONS, AND HOPE

"We never argue. But every now and then, we have intense moments of fellowship."
Jeff and Shari Easter/Gaither DVDs

Going from memory rather than offering an exact quote, the thought surely applies to Ray and I . . . particularly in the area of politics. In years of Presidential elections, we can barely talk.

Ironically, we are on the same page. We are in agreement about the candidates. We agree on the issues, for the most part. He has even, with help of others, changed my views on gun control.

The conflict centers on HOPE or lack thereof.

As evidenced by this blog, I've been reading political books. Nook, fortunately, allows readers to download "samples." Different than being tied to a store, one can peruse those samples at their leisure. Sitting at McDonalds, I downloaded several samples. I began to read one that warned Americans of our downward spiral, of the possibility of becoming a second or third world nation. I felt fear rising.

I reminded myself that I was reading a "sample." A different outlook could unfold with the passing pages. But . . .

Here's where my thoughts went: "If seemingly good men add no hope to the warning of the United States going bankrupt or becoming a third world country, what's the point!!!? If the author offers no solutions or no possibilities of turning the tide, why bother? The fear that would result would only further bring our country down.

Ray sort of leans to the side of blame and no hope; or so it seems to me. When he tells me Congress always does this, or people discover someone is bad and yet continue to vote them back in, I say (to him, for me), "BUT GOD . . . "

God is bigger! God has a plan! It may be for our discipline. It may be hard---very hard. But I can't lose sight of hope. I just can't live there.

Yet, while Ray and I participated in some "intense fellowship," another conviction surfaced in my heart: Has Satan distracted me? Has a spirit of holy determination planted itself within my heart, yet become distorted? While fighting not to lose my freedom to worship God, have I forgotten God? Has what started as fighting for my faith become fighting for my country? Neither of those is bad or wrong--unless my eyes wander from God. Unless I begin to take on this battle like it is something "I" can win.

The difference is so sublte--that of fighting for God or fighting with God. That of doing what I believe God would have me to do; BUT trusting Him with the outcomes. 

Maybe somethings are too far gone to be reversed. Maybe these are what we consider "end times" and our hope must be eternity-centered. The Jews believed Jesus was going to free them from the domination of Rome. To some degree, that is our hope. We can certainly pray and work toward that end. BUT . . . GOD! 

God, whatever Your plan, give me the heart, strength, and courage to cooperate. Help me continually recognize that Your ways are not my ways. When it feels like the world is falling in around me, help me to HOPE--and help me to pass it on.

EverGrowing,
Lonnie  

KNOWLEDGE, HARD WORK, FREEDOM

"The founders also believed that education is crucial to offering checks and balances to governing leaders' power. Otherwise, the insidious loss of freedom, quite relevant to us today, will follow." 

Ben Carson, M.D.

America the Beautiful   Zondervan 2012

p. 65

 

Two oft repeated thoughts in Carson's book center around knowledge and hard work. Education doesn’t necessarily need to be formal. Throughout the last few years, I’ve heard over and over: Read, read, read. Read what interests you. Read what concerns you. I don’t typically read political books, but I am concerned—for America, for the Church’s fading effectiveness and influence, for the loss of religious freedoms, and for my own growth. So—I read. So—I write.

I missed, in growing up, the value of hard work. Of course, it was expected of me but I don’t believe it was presented to me with a tone of future or hope. In hindsight, I would have loved to have heard, “You can do anything! Dream big! Work hard! It’s worth it! You’ll be glad you did.”   

Ben Carson, not without some parental motivation, found hope and possibilities in books. (which I am finding in his) As he read about inventors (one of my personal favorites), explorers, industrial leaders, and entrepreneurs, he discovered a commonality—the desire to work hard in order to accomplish something.

I found, in inventors and colonial Americans, determination and endurance; a perseverance that would not let them give up. Surely, some did give up. Were they to be recognized in history, it might well be for being plagued by regrets and lack of fulfillment. Were we to interview them, we might detect blame or a victim mentality (attitudes I’m too familiar with). Dr. Carson would say to that:

“From all I observed around me growing up and all I read, I quickly realized that, in spite of the circumstances affecting you, the person who had the most to do with what happened to you in life was you.” (America The Beautiful  p. 68)

I wish I’d read those thoughts a few decades ago, but I’m trusting that God has brought them across my path, now, for a reason; maybe to share with you. I’d have never imagined myself to understand anything political or historical. But again, God. “For such a time as this” He has given me understanding and passion. I’m excited to see what He is going to do with it. If it’s for no other reason than for me to know that I’ve not gone down without a fight, so be it.

“By remaining ignorant,” writes Carson, “we shirk our democratic duty and open ourselves to slick politicians who usurp our rights. Some of the segments of our society who are most easily led astray are those with the poorest general education, which makes one wonder if those seeking political advantage are happy to maintain the status quo in order that the uneducated might be more easily manipulated.”

America The Beautiful  p. 65

Maybe you feel like it’s too late for you; too late to accomplish anything, too late to become involved, too late to have any impact in our/your world. It’s never too late. And for sure, not too late to pass it on—to grandchildren, neighbors, to generations that follow you.

EverGrowing,

Lonnie