Would Jesus be welcomed in America

After watching news, reading social media, and living in my community, I wonder if Jesus would be welcomed in America.  Healthcare, the NFL, and Puerto Rico. I wonder what our olive-skinned Savior would say. We talk a good game, but we fail Him miserably. Would He be extremely vetted? Would we deny Him care for a pre-existing condition?  Would He be hassled for kneeling?  Would his citizenship be questioned because of His brownness?  Aren't we all children of God?  We hate what we don't know. Discrimination still follows me. Ignorance about my disease still follows me. I have to give an explanation about it everyday. When a random person starts speaking to me in Spanish before English, I wonder. When you ask ask about my background because I looked permanently tanned, I wonder. When people say you're so smart, why can't you perform a certain task, I go into a lengthy discussion as to why. When other Americans question my patriotism because I had the nerve to voice my displeasure with a governmental agency over their practices.  My patriotism has nothing to do with being mistreated by the TSA.   Living in today's world means you take and accept discrimination, and say thank you anyway.   I've been a follower of Christ for years, but I honestly question if I would follow now. I don't question the goodness of Christ. I question His followers. I wonder if there are two Jesus. This pains me to write.   Someone once told me if I'm afraid to offend, I'm not doing my job. Having a different view of fighting for equal treatment under the law is not unpatriotic. I salute the flag, because I couldn't be me anywhere else in the world, but I respect your decision to kneel.   When a commenter said they understood my decision to speak up, but when they are afraid to say anything to fellow believers in church, and may be looked down on, my heart broke. We Christians may need to look in the mirror.   I write this for a variety of reasons. Those being ostracized or criticized have loved and taught me so much. It is the person of color, and the atheist who showed up to validate me when others would not. Two, I'm tired of my patriotism called into question because I fought for my own human dignity. Three, I'm tired of being told I'm the wrong kind of Christian. Four, I fighting the stigma of disability. I'm worthy.

Pick

Starbucks
Amazon
Boutique

Fun part eleven

Last dip you ate?
Last drink you drank?
Last movie you watched?
Last song you danced to?
Last person you lifted up?

Pick

Pumpkin Spice Latte
Apple Crisp
Pumpkin Pie

The bell

Somebody asked me this morning, what was upsetting me. This may not be something you want to read. Every so often I get my bell rung. Not in the traditional sense. Yesterday I had an experience that reminded me why I fight. I don't want to is no longer a viable option. Why does a person's simple mistake enrage me?  Ask. As a disabled person operating in an able-bodied world, sometimes simple mistakes cause me complications I can't fix on my own. Any trying to explain why each time is trying my every nerve. And when simple mistakes keep happening, I'm at a loss for nice words. I have a feeling I will be told that this happens to us all no matter who we are. However,  when you live in a world that gives an impression that you are substandard, it's hard to just hear the "sorry". Maybe, I'm looking at it wrong, but we no longer seek compassion, discourse and humanity.

Would you rather

Eat plants or meat
Drink your veggies or fruit
Jog or bike
Shop or visit a museum
Visit Canada or live in Mexico

Thoughts

I had a frustrating day yesterday. And it made me wonder.
I'm so upset that a simple mistake can enrage me.
I'm upset that I have to keep teaching people.
I'm upset that I have to keep explaining that when you are dependent for certain things one's mistakes affect now only you but others as well.
I guess that is what gets me most.
My thoughts.

Favorite gift

Favorite gift to receive

Gift

Favorite gift to give?

Pick

Scarf
Candle
Pie

Fun part ten

last thing you ate
Last app you checked
Last Amazon purchased
Last tv show watched
Last thing you cooked

Thoughts.

I miss the days of snail mail. I long for it.

Truth

Honestly, I've tried to do posts that are happy because the events of the world are so sad. I'm tearing up just thinking about it. I'd like to talk more about it, but it seems like we can't agree to disagree. We've lost something. I need courage to speak the truth, no matter the cost to my pride, page views be darned. When did I become become beholden to what others think.   When did my search to be liked, become greater than speaking the truth.

Would you rather

Eat jelly beans or waffles
Drink Orangina or egg nog
Shop at a flea market or sample sale
Curl hair or straighten it
Visit Alberta or live in the Philippines

Pick

Jethro Tull
Bob Dylan
Doobie Brothers

Pick

A DVF dress
Chanel bag
A year supply of Halloween candy pick

Mail

If you were to send me a box with some of your favorite things, what would be in the box?

Fun part nine

last thing you read
Last game you played
Last person you text
Last time you were thankful
Last blog you read

prayer requests

Any prayer requests?

Would you rather

Eat borscht or baklava
Drink seltzer or fruit juice
Win an Emmy or design gardens
Wear a dress or make them
Visit Alaska or live in Italy

Pick

Dinner with Emeril
Chat with the Pope
Shopping with your best friend in Paris

Fun part eight

Last thing you ate
Last gift you got
Last gift you gave
Last person you hugged
Last person you complimented

Confessions

Jesus has been so merciful to me. He rewards faith. He is loyal to His children. Thank you Lord for your goodness. I love you.
John 3:16

Would you rather

eat rice or potato
Drink cranberry juice or a smoothie
Snowboard or waterski
Splurge on a meal or shoes
Visit Malaysia or live in Vancouver

Pick

Louis Vuitton
Marni
Macy's

Fun part seven

last thing you did
Last thing you saw
Last thing you heard
Last thing you watched
Last thing you said

Pick

Sourdough
Wheat
Rye

Mood

Soul is tired, but heart is happy.

Would you rather

Eat candy corn or mussels
Drink root beer or V8
Boogie board or swim
Watch a movie or act in one
Visit Capri or live in South Korea

Irma

Please pray for those in the path of Irma.

Fun part six

Mom's name
Ancestry
Drink order
Favorite salad
First language

Fun part five

Last dessert you made
Last dessert you ate
Last jewel you bought
Last Starbucks order
Last flight you took

Pick.

Cheetos
Doritos
Sour Cream and Onion

Fun part four

Last website you visited
Favorite dress you own
Celebrity crush
Most used emoji
Last movie you saw

Sunday blessing.

Brutal honesty. On Friday, I was sitting in a doctor's office, bored, so I started texting my best friend. I got tired of texting. I was alone in the waiting room so I called instead. We were talking, and as I was she told me something that I've thought of much. She said I sell myself too short. I know she's right. I've taken to heart all the discouraging things said about me, and held them as truth. It's time I discarded them, and rely on what God says about me. Maybe when you discourage me, I should just pray for you. Kill them with kindness. Love those that loathe you.

Would you rather

Eat dates or figs
Drink Kombucha or green tea
Make s'mores or paella
Watch college football or play with your dog
Visit Cambodia or live in Newfoundland.

Forgiveness

Why is it so hard to forgive?  I know I must. I know it's in my best interest. I know it benefits me. I know if someone's hurt me, it's more a reflection of their character, not mine. With all these good things, you'd think I could forgive or want to. I'm all too human. Help me Lord to forgive those who've wronged me years ago or yesterday. Pruning:  painful and prickly, especially for stubborn people like me.