WACKY WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Stick with the Plan

     One of the toughest lessons I had to learn in Kindergarten was the one about sharing with others. If I had been smart enough, brash enough, and quick witted enough to speak out at the First Methodist Church Kindergarten way back in the stone ages when I attended, I would have proclaimed that there are many things that shouldn't be shared.
     Take, for example, a toothbrush. No matter how much I appreciate and like you, I will not share my toothbrush with you. Same goes for my underwear, my stick deodorant, my social security number, my ear buds, my credit card password, my dirty socks, my chap stick, or a picture of what I had for dinner on Facebook.
     Based on recent experiences, I feel led to add another item to that list. My cellphone. Sounds awful selfish but my reasoning is not based on any desire to miserly restrict other human beings from experiencing all that my little slice of technology has to offer. It comes from my observation that most every time someone borrows someone else's cellphone, everyone ends up frustrated.
The scenario goes something like this:

Adult 1: Hey, I don't have my cellphone with me. Can I borrow yours to make a call?
Adult 2: Sure, no sweat. (Shows his age by saying "no sweat" and hands phone to friend)
A1: How do I work this thing?
A2: Just tap the home key button in the middle, swipe from the lower left to the upper right, swipe one panel over until you see a list of my contacts, scroll down the left side and tap on the face of the person you want to call, then swipe the green button to the right to place the call.
A1: You lost me at "Just". Besides, the person I want to call won't be in your contacts. (But he tries anyway, and within moments has infected the phone with thirteen viruses, called back three telemarketers who previously left unwanted messages, and accidentally sent a rated PG-13 GIF to his friend's mother-in-law.)
A2: (Frustrated)- Here, give me the phone, I'll make the call for you. (Takes phones and dials number which A1 miraculously remembered after six failed attempts, but nobody answers. Tries again, no dice. Third try, nada.)
A1: She won't answer calls unless the name pops up on her screen. And you're not in her contacts.
A2: Then why did you ask to use my phone?
A1: Uggh, I hate trying to operate these things. Where's a teenager when you need one?
Teenager 1: I'm right here, enjoying watching you morons embarrass yourselves.
Teenager 2: LOL

     I think I've figured this thing out. Each person has an individualized cellphone that eventually works best for them and no one else. And everybody gets a personalized calling plan that works best for them too, but wouldn't fit for others. If we try to snatch somebody's phone, it won't easily work for us. Same goes for their plan.
     Jeremiah 29:11 reminds us that God has a specific plan for each of our lives. And that plan is designed to be prosperous not only for us but also His Kingdom, and was created to give us hope for the future. The key is following that plan. We can't live out someone else's plan just because we believe it looks nicer or has more features than ours. We must stick with the plan, the one that was intended for us and us only. I have to remind myself of that from time to time when I see God blessing someone else in a way I wish He would bless me. "Not in your plan," He says to me. "I'll bless you in other ways if you trust and obey me."
     So don't expect me to be asking to borrow your phone or your plan anytime soon. I'm plenty hung up and busy (bad pun intended) trying to figure out my own.

WACKY WEDNESDAY WISDOM: Has Patriotism Become Uncool?

     When I sat down at my laptop to start this post/column/devotion, I stared at a blank screen for quite some time before finally commencing. Quite honestly, I had lots of thoughts but didn't know where to start. I could write a book about this subject. But worry not, I won't. What in the world is he talking about, you might ask? Allow me a few minutes of your time, if you will. I think you'll be glad you did.  Or at least you may be mad you did. 

     This is a big week in America. Election week. Not a presidential election week, but one that will have an impact on our nation for years to come. I voted. I love America. And with that statement- one that in the past would have been readily acceptable- I have already stirred up controversy. It's not as popular to love America anymore. Too many people are mad at America and think we should be ashamed to live in a nation such as the one the United States of America has become. 

     Well, I'm irritated at lots of things that happen in my beloved country, but I'm not ashamed to be a citizen of it. 

     To begin with, a few thoughts about America's current president, Mr. Trump : 

1. First of all, some people will already have their feathers ruffled because I referred to him as Mr. Trump instead of using some other derisive term before or after his name. I won't do that. And before you call me a brainwashed right winger, I will inform you that I have referred to all of our presidents with Mr. in front of their names- including Mr. Kennedy, Mr. Reagan, Mr. Clinton, Mr. Bush, and Mr. Obama, and others. Not because I agreed with them all the time or even liked them, but because they were presidents of the country I love. No matter who is elected president in my lifetime, you won't catch me wearing a tee shirt that says "Not My President". 

2. Mr. Trump's accomplishments and failures should be examined and debated, but one thing is for sure: ever since he entered the picture, people are more interested in and engaged in politics than at any point in my lifetime. I think that has the potential to be a good thing. As long as it's done civilly. 

3. There are times I agree with Mr. Trump's policies, and other times I disagree. That's my privilege as an American. And I can express that agreement or disagreement freely in this nation. I do think Mr. Trump should take a look at how he phrases his opinions at times. There are times I find myself agreeing with what he's saying but disagreeing with how he's saying it. For example, I think he misspoke when he said he was "nationalistic" in a recent speech. I am a history major and taught it in high school for a while. I think he should have used the term "patriotic" instead. There's a difference. Look it up. 

4. The thing that's sad these days is that there will be some who will read what I've written above and scold me for my words. Some will say I didn't take up for Mr. Trump enough and that he's never wrong and that he's the finest, most patriotic American alive- and you will criticize me for not declaring him the second coming of Jesus Christ. And others will be deeply offended that I could agree with him on anything and will accuse me of being blinded by bigotry and intolerance because I won't denounce him as the Antichrist. 

A few more thoughts:

     I hope Americans don't forget that Sunday, November 11 is Veteran's Day. I hope we never return to those days in the 1960s when soldiers were vilified and blamed for the failings of their government. We should honor all veterans, regardless of what war they fought in or even if they served during times of peace. And it seems to me, that whether anyone likes it or not, our veterans are closely identified with the American flag. Maybe the flag and the veterans shouldn't be linked so tightly, but they are. And because of that, the flag is worthy of respect. 

     That being said, I like the American flag. Let me be clear that it is not a religious object. 

It is not holy and it is not an avenue to salvation in the Heavenly sense. But it is a powerful symbol of the human right of freedom our country was founded upon. Though we as a country have failed miserably in upholding that right at times, it remains the foundational base of our democracy. 

     It's a sad day when our very own American flag is the subject of so much controversy. Since when has displaying an American flag become controversial? Well, since now, that's when. Do an online search. You'll find examples. For some people in our nation, just seeing an American flag being displayed is offensive to them. I respectfully disagree. And I say respectfully sincerely, because I understand their frustrations with our country in many cases. But none of that is the flag's fault. 

     Not long after my youngest son got his own truck, he pulled into the driveway with a pole mounted to his back bumper and an American flag hooked to it. He drove it through town on July 4 to show his patriotism. He bought a cool camo hat with the American flag displayed front and center to sport while he was driving and to wear any other time he felt like it. His Twitter picture features him wearing cool shades and a huge American flag as the background. At first I was worried that someone might be offended at his boldness in expressing his patriotism, especially on his truck. But upon further review, I decided I was proud of him. He knows his country is not perfect and he wants to do something about it. I think he will- because he loves his country. 

     There are lots of verses in the Bible that can be quoted, dissected, and debated concerning nations- their relevance, their rights, their responsibilities, and their boundaries. But I'm certain of this- no nation reigns more supreme than God. And any nation who ignores God and the teachings of His Son will ultimately pay a terrible price for its arrogance. That's more important than any political party, any elected official, or any flag. 

     But that doesn't mean we can't be proud to be Americans. On Veteran's Day,  if you get a moment, recite the pledge of allegiance, making sure not to leave out the "Under God" part. Then find and thank a veteran, fly your flag, and hit your knees in prayer, reminding our Lord that this country needs Him more than ever.