Wise love takes many forms:
it is not timid and passive;
it can be demanding as well as long suffering”
Sacred Space
The Irish Jesuits
Lenten readings 2016
(grave marker, St Kevin’s Monastery, Glendalough National Park , Co Wicklow, Ireland / Julie Cook / 2015)
Recently while pursuing various blogs penned by Christian writers, I have been astonished reading the negative, or actually downright vehemently hateful, chatter (aka “comments”) offered up by those non believers professing to be ardent atheists who hound the innocent bloggers just as hungry dogs hound a rabbit.
I’ve touched on this concern before.
Be it the teacher in me, the mom in me, the decent human being I hope in me,
I quickly discern that these “comments” are simply bullying and taunting guised in the form of commentary…offered by adults to other adults yet all taking on a very sophomoric and juvenile tone…
With the comments ranging from the mean spirited, hateful and disturbing to the downright threatening.
Yet given the current trend of equally sophomoric behavior within our own political system, I suppose I shouldn’t be so surprised.
I’ve always been of the mindset that if you don’t like reading someone’s blog, views, opinions…don’t read them…go elsewhere seeking that which interests you, encourages you or is like minded as yourself.
You prefer hate?
There’s plenty of that out there for you to read…leave those who merely want to offer hope and encouragement… while you go off to find all the vile and negative your heart desires….
And whereas it is discouraging to see how individuals…
those who are merely offering their personal values, their views,
their opinions, their beliefs…
those individuals who are being readily and easily maligned….
The truly amazing gem in all of this…
the real story behind this little observation into this lack of humankind treating humankind without mutual respect, is how these “bullied” writers can in turn offer kindness and patience to the grossly negative visitors and commentators…or better yet, how these writers offer forthright, steady, well versed and well informed responses going toe to toe with with what boils down to nasty evil hatefulness.
As Christians, we learn early on that our’s is a faith steeped in Love.
The Love of God for His creation
The Love of a Father for His Son
The Love of a Son for His Father
The Love of a Savior for His fellow man…
And yet we know that that Love is not simple minded, mindlessly passive, merely benign…
Nor is it timid…
This Love we share does not rest nor slumber…
It is determined.
It is exacting.
It is precise.
And it is patient, steely, determined and… yes, even long suffering…
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Hebrews 12:1-3
cookiecrumbstoliveby 
You wrote:”I’ve always been of the mindset that if you don’t like reading someone’s blog, views, opinions…don’t read them…go elsewhere seeking that which interests you, encourages you or is like minded as yourself.” EXACTLY…We all should be more kind to one another—I cannot even bear to watch anymore debates—I am so disappointed that those who want to be our “leaders” display themselves as they do…I think some of their comments border on “hate speech” and have been the instigator of crimes against Muslims. Everyone has the right to BE and to choose their beliefs…Your statement, “I quickly discern that these “comments” are simply bullying and taunting guised in the form of commentary…”–I didn’t think of that–so much hatred is heard everyday, we become dead to the harm—reminds me to be more prudent in what I write…Thank you for all you say!
Thank you for such thoughtful and kind words—oh don’t even get me started on the debates—on one side we have a bunch of juvenile delinquents–vile, hateful and immature–hurling hatefulness and vileness at one another like rocks—on the other side we have a habitual liar and cheat (Bengazi is the only word to silence her) and a new democrat clocked in the wool of socialism …a real mess we the American people have sadly allowed to happen…by not expecting or demanding more of our leaders..or more importantly, from ourselves…so it is in our average daily lives that we need to exact kindness, holding expectations high while demonstrating the love of Christ with steely precision…
May blessing about this March Monday morning 🙂
Reblogged this on Talmidimblogging.
What astute observations! Truth mixed with humility and love. Very refreshing.
Thank you David for your kind words—blessings this sunny monday
Wonderful post, Julie. Our world is so full of hate. It seems to be a way of life. People no longer know how to settle disagreements anymore without foul language or violent behavior. Part of it starts in the home. Part of it is a lack of respect for life or anything good in the world. Part of it is too much time on our hands. I don’t know the answers, but I think Jesus said it best when He said, “the greatest of these is love.” If we don’t learn how to love we will never be able to come together. I teach public speaking to middle school aged kids and am amazed how little they know how to communicate. I does have to be taught!
Thank you Kathy–my hats off to you working with middle school kids—my daughter-n-law teaches middle school…so I hear all too often of the frustrations in the lack of communication skills.
When I was still in the classroom (high school) and would have the kids to do various writing assignments, I was appalled at how many would actually “text” on official papers. One too many omg’s, lol’s, idk’s, etc—even during classroom discussions there would be one too many text talks interjected for a healthy level for my blood pressure—we laugh but there is a grave concern over the growing lack of verbal communication skills with this up and coming generation..
Well said! You said what needed to be said and did it very well. There should be NONE of that negative stuff on anyone’s blog. If someone doesn’t like what is there, then don’t read it or even better don’t follow that blog. Kudos! Love and hugs, Natalie 🙂 ❤
I completely agree Julie…sometimes it feels like an apology is demanded for just speaking out and being yourself. Move on, I say, and leave those you don’t agree with alone.