When did I become the kind of person who was so afraid of others’ opinions that I hid my own? That’s the question I’ve been asking myself over the past couple of weeks. I’ve also asked myself why I’ve been willing to risk controversy over trivial matters but not over the principles I believe in with every fiber of my being. At what point will I finally be willing to stand up for those principles—for the beliefs that have eternal consequences?
Yesterday, I reached that point. I’m ready to stand up. I know that some of you will disagree with me with as much passion as I feel right now. I also know that when I write these words, I’m risking the loss of friendships as well as the loss of many faithful readers of my blog. Maybe it’s naïve of me, but I still believe that we are capable of disagreeing with each other without disassociating from each other—that we can have different opinions without severing the ties that bind us. If I’m wrong in that belief, at least I will have stood up for what matters to me and written what God has put on my heart. I can no longer sit in silence and simply observe the world I live in. I’ve done that since President Trump took office. And now, having watched him violate nearly every principle of morality, ethics, and Christianity, I can’t sit silently anymore. I’m standing up.
I realized I was done being silent when I heard the most recent comments the President made about Jews. He said that Jews who support Democrats show “either a total lack of knowledge or great disloyalty.” This kind of rhetoric is not only morally reprehensible, it’s dangerous. Senator Chuck Schumer said it better than I can: “When he [Trump] uses a trope that’s been used against the Jewish people for centuries with dire consequences, he is encouraging—wittingly or unwittingly—anti-Semites throughout the country and world. Enough.”
Yes. Enough. Trump’s words anger me. The people they embolden scare me. My greatest regret over the course of writing this blog is having said that my husband, Monty, is Jewish. And I’ve written about it too often to take it back. So I worry. I worry that my words have endangered the person I love most in this world. You might be thinking, Really? Endangered? That’s ridiculous. But is it? Is it really that far-fetched to think that being Jewish could put his life in danger? I wouldn’t have thought so a few years ago. I also wouldn’t have thought that in my lifetime, I’d see a swastika anywhere but in a museum, a movie, or news footage so old, so distant from my life, that it was in black and white. I never thought I’d see neo-Nazis marching with torches through a college campus chanting the Nazi phrase “Blood and soil.” And I most certainly never thought that I would hear the President of the United States speak about those neo-Nazis and other protesters and say, “You had some very bad people in that group. You also had some very fine people on both sides.” Newsflash, Mr. President: there are no “very fine” neo-Nazis. To say so is to attempt to normalize the actions and speech of a group who exists only to hate.
Trump’s comments about neo-Nazis and Jews aren’t even the worst things he’s said. We’ve all heard him make vile statements about women, minorities, the differently abled—he’s gone so low that his words rarely surprise me anymore. They sicken me. It sickens me to hear the phrase “Trump’s base” because I’m reminded of another definition of the word “base:” “of lowest value.” Trump’s words appeal to his base, yes, but they also appeal to the basest parts of our human nature—our tendency to distance ourselves from people who look or worship or believe differently than we do. Our instinct to hurt rather than help. Our propensity towards violence, not peace.
I close my eyes at night, and I hear the words Trump says. I hear the chant that is almost beyond comprehension in the kind of country I thought I lived in: “Send her back! Send them back!” A chant that furthers the rhetoric of hate speech—if you don’t look like me, you don’t belong in my country. I hear it. I see it. And I think, My God. My God. Why have we forsaken You?
But the question that truly haunts me is this: where are my fellow Christians? Where are you? Are you afraid of losing friends or family so you stay silent, like I did? I’ve heard so few Christians speak out and condemn the hatred that runs contrary to everything that we, as Christians, believe. Yet if ever there was a time to stand up and speak love, it’s now. Isn’t that what Jesus would do? And isn’t that what we should be asking as we walk through our daily lives—what would Jesus do?
I think Jesus would care far more about the state of our hearts than the state of our union. I don’t think He’d care how great America is. He’d care about how great our love is, defined by Him as “a love that sacrifices all.” (John 15:13)
I think Jesus would walk through a border patrol facility and weep at the way His precious children were living—hungry, scared, and separated from their parents. He’d open His arms to the children and let them come to Him, climb on Him, and touch his scars while He told them the greatest story of love and sacrifice that’s ever been lived.
I think Jesus would see the way we treat the world He created for us, and He’d get as angry as He did on the day in the temple—angry that our blatant disrespect and disregard for His creation has left it dying.
I think Jesus would want us to stand up for those who can’t stand up for themselves, rather than getting outraged about who does or doesn’t stand for the national anthem.
And Jesus would love. When asked what the most important commandment was, Jesus responded, “The first in importance is, ‘Listen, Israel: The Lord your God is one; so love the Lord God with all your passion and prayer and intelligence and energy.’ And here is the second: ‘Love others as well as you love yourself.’ There is no other commandment that ranks with these.” (Mark 12:29-31) It can’t be said any more plainly than that. Jesus would love, and that’s what He calls us to do. Even in the face of so much hate and anger. I don’t see any other way for our world to change. We have to love like Jesus—fiercely, sacrificially, equally, greatly.
I remind myself many times a day that that kind of love wins over hate. But sometimes, in the dark moments, I still hear hate’s whispers. Moments when I look at Monty and feel my heart seize with fear for him. Moments when I wonder how far down we’ll go before we go back to the One who can heal this mess we’ve made. Moments when all I can do is cling to the hope of love as I weep with Jesus and think, This. This is what it sounds like. When doves cry.
If you love Me, keep My commands.John 14:15
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Comments 24
Hi Renee, interesting blog you stated your feelings well, interesting and well written, most of us are not that good at expressing ourselves. It is awesome that we all live in country were free to express our opinion and free to disagree with each other. Right now what is missing in this country is respect for each other and it is getting a lot worse. The politicians on both sides have added to this decline.
Time will roll on and there will be more less than desirable politicians to take the place of these leaving office, time changes faces change and Washington stays the same corrupt swamp it has become in recent times, sad.
So enjoy your writing keep it up and do be afraid to speak your mind!
Grover❤️
I’m so happy to hear from you, Grover. I agree with you about respect being a missing ingredient in our current political climate. I also agree that we’re blessed in this country to be free to express our opinions. Thank you for your encouragement–you are such a kind and faithful reader. ❤
“It takes a great deal of bravery to stand up to our enemies, but just as much to stand up to our friends” – Dumbledore
I love you for expressing truth and standing up for what is right. You said it perfectly and so eloquently.
The statement and example you make about how you think Jesus would have been as angry as he was the day of the temple hit home. I think the same thing.
Monty–thank you. What a beautiful quote. I meant it when I told you that your belief in me is the courage I need to stand up. Thank you for that, day after day. And thank you for your words. ❤ I love you.
Thank you for this post. It’s far beyond time to take action and fix this mess. I also am amazed/saddened to see some ‘christians’ being suckered into such lunacy. It’s as if they missed their 1900-1965 World History lesson.
Thank you for reading my words, Jim. I often think the same thing about the history lessons we don’t seem to have learned. It’s sad but not hopeless, I pray. And I pray for our country and its leader.
Thank you for every courageous and powerful words my dear! I love your challenge to “stand up and speak love” because “that’s what Jesus would do”. Yes!!! It IS the answer! Thank you for using your skill with words to call us to a so much better way. I love you and I’m proud of you.
Thank you, Mom. Your words are a treasure to me. As are you. I love you so deeply and dearly. ❤
Amazing. Truly.
Thank you, Molly. ❤
I love you Renee. Thank you for sharing your heart. ❤
Oh, Beth–thank you for hearing my heart. Love you back. ❤
Solid, gutsy post, Sparrow. You have “stepped out” of a certain comfort zone you have been. Not to demean or diminish any of your other Blogs. I feel you have taken a definitive stance, on something you have a great passion,equality, love, resoect for your fellow man. I applaud you, loudly for your stance. I am an “encourager”, to people of all shapes, sizes, race, etc. So, welcome to your new “blog” world. I love it, I stand , with you, by your words. God Bless, Keep on Blogging, Soarrow. TexGen
TexGen–I hear your applause all the way up here in Colorado, and I thank you for it. I know you’re all about love and acceptance, and you don’t just speak about God’s love–every day, you minister to people and show them that love. Thank you for your example. And thank you for your encouraging words.
Hi Renee!
I too dislike things I hear coming from our White House, but that is nothing new. Last year, when I took an Ancient History class and was looking for any ancient person that I could say, “Look! He’s an excellent example of humanity!” I found no one who was righteous and without blame. I found no one that I was comfortable following their example. The ideas our very nation was founded on came from very corrupt people, who lied, cheated and poisoned those who thought differently than them. I actually found that I liked the straightforward way the Spartans treated their people better than the Athenians. I found some ancient Christians that had some things I admired about them- Erasmus, Luther, Augustine, Charlemagne. However, they all fell far short of what I look for in good role models for myself, and my children. They have errors in logic, doctrine, and love. It was quite depressing to realize that these men, in whom we base our understanding on, had feet of clay. Our “Great Nation” is founded on the best-thinking men. We humans all fall short of the Glory of God. We can’t reach it. Our government, while admittedly being one of the best in the world, falls far short of what my heart yearns for. I’ve come to the conclusion that I will never see what my heart yearns for until Jesus comes back, or I die.
That being said, I must reveal that I voted for Trump, because he is less slimey. Maybe. There is no reasoning with him, and that is scary. But, Hilary has done some downright evil things.
Hitler’s regime was downright evil. Sometimes I try to imagine what I would have done if I was a citizen of Germany during that time. What choices would I have made to keep my family “safe”?
What choices will I make to keep my family safe today? My heart is in nurturing the children God has placed in my care. Safe is a vague term. What does God want me to do? He wants me to plant seeds of faith in their hearts, water them, prune out weeds of sinful thinking and heart attitudes. He wants me to return to Him that which He gave to me.
When I first moved to this beautiful old house in Haxtun, I was so thankful for the sanctuary God gave us. I wanted to make it a sanctuary for all the hurting children in Haxtun that needed a place to hang out. I learned the hard way that you don’t just open your doors to anyone who is hurting. They don’t all want to respect your rules. Sometimes they feel resentful of your children for having a safe haven. They think because you have some things they don’t, that you are wealthy, and they steal from you and your children. Or, they break things and don’t replace them, because, well, you can afford to replace it. I learned to screen the children coming into my house, and I learned to be firm with my rules. But loving. Always loving.
So, how does this relate to the immigration laws? We are responsible for our Nation’s children first. We need to screen those coming into our nation, to keep our children safe. We need to make sure our rules are understood and followed.
All in love, and with respect to the creation of God-mankind. Anyway, Those are some of my thoughts on the subject. God bless you!
Sandra, I appreciate your thoughts. I agree with you that it’s disheartening to go back through history and then into our current climate and not find any leader that lived a completely righteous life. But there have been some that were completely evil–like Hitler, as you said. If you’re a student of history, you don’t need me to point out the similarities between the environment Trump has created and the one that Hitler carefully built before World War II. I agree with you that we have to keep children safe–we can’t just open our borders. But the situation at the border right now is untenable; the current rules not only aren’t working, they’re fostering a terrible environment for children. I appreciate your heart for children. And I thank you for adding your thoughts to mine.
I’m so proud of you for your courageous post knowing full well it is likely you will lose some of your faithful readers. I, too, have worried about offending my Trump supporting friends, but this week I, too, have reached the point that I can no longer be silent. I pray for a return to normalcy when our president was respected as the leader of the free world. Thank you for speaking out.
Thank you so very much for your support, Aunt Phyllis. I hope that more and more people reach the breaking point–that every day, more and more rise up and make their voices heard. I pray for that and, as you said, I pray for a return to a time when the President was respected, not mocked world-wide. My love to you.
Wow Renee, What a powerful and thought provoking blog! I am so proud of you for standing up for what is right. This world has gotten so bad. I think you have every right to write about this. I really admire you for standing up for those who can’t stand up for themselves! Well done, my friend. You really are an amazing writer. Thank you for writing from your heart. ❤️
Thank you, Melanie, for your encouragement and beautiful words. And for always seeing my heart. ❤
I love all of these thoughts, words, and feelings. You are brave and you are you have the right to everything you write and feel!! I stand With you!!
Thank you for your support. It means so much to me. ❤
Thank you for being you and standing up for what is right. You are amazing and I admire you so much for being true to who you are and what you believe. I love you sis. Amazing post.
If you were the only person who ever read what I wrote, I would still write it. Thank you. And I love you too.