Stop the Bullying

October 29, 2020

Politics. That is a touchy subject for sure. I try not to go there. I try to keep my opinions to myself and trust that God has us in the palm of His hand, knowing that everything works itself out.

At the same time, we have free will. And I don’t believe God makes it a practice of intervening against our free will. I believe that every choice has a consequence, and while I do not know for sure what happens when our bodies die, I want to know that I did my best to make my choices while thinking of the consequences that would follow – in this life and the next.

Lee and I own a small business, and having opinions get tricky. Besides the two of us, we have five people who work with us with families, and I try to think about them when I make decisions. Back when I was boisterous about my beliefs, it cost us all.

We lost clients because I have had opinions that were not the status quo. People want you to agree with them, and sadly if you don’t, they cannot accept that. I can take any belief besides my own and even have respect for differences. I can honor and revere the person who thinks differently from me. I can love them because I know God resides in every single person, whether they know that or not.

The world has changed in the last few years, and things are very different. I don’t see God in people like I used to. I know the Spirit is in them, but sadly I see it getting dimmer by the day as people get more and more angry and outspoken. There is vileness in the air that makes me feel sick to my stomach. People are turning against one another, families falling apart, the world burning to ash before our very eyes.

What should I do? That has been an unending loop running through my mind.

There was a time when I would not have kept my mouth shut at the many injustices, I have witnessed in the past few years. I have seen some nasty things in the news and online by people I held in high regard. I have seen some pretty racist hearts and minds. For the most part, I do not think many of those folks recognize who they are. I think they are afraid of life as they know it becoming something that they do not know. I get that. What I do not get is allowing that fear to make anyone behave in ways that hurt other people. I don’t understand minimalizing or hurting others.

I’ve been sitting, watching, and reading while praying for a long time now. I’m not sure anything I say can or will make a difference, but I am going to give it a shot.

There comes a time in life when we must step up and into the uncomfortable and speak our truth. I feel like this is one of those times. I don’t know what it might cost me, but the cost of staying silent will cost my Soul and that I cannot risk. I want to leave this place called Earth, knowing that I did my best to listen to that little inner voice and follow it….towards truth, LOVE, and my Creator.

I’m not one of those people who like to give you my beliefs resume. Instead, I try to live my life as an example of what I believe. Trust God. Be kind. Choose love. Don’t judge. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. Lastly, recognize that every choice you make has the potential to save a life or to destroy it. I have seen that firsthand.

The truth is that I don’t like labels. I think they limit all of us to some one-word conclusion about another, and it makes me feel like we are all back in junior high school. My prayer is for us to be in Life school, striving to graduate and shine our wisdom and love throughout the lands. Living our lives, showing God that we know the gift of life is precious and not meant to be squandered on petty differences or small things.

I once had a hard life lesson that drove this home for me.

As many of you know, my little brother Griffen died back in 2007. His death forever changed me and how I saw the world. I had lived through some traumatic life experiences, but none like finding out that my sweet little brother would never grace me with his beautiful smile and warm hugs ever again. Griffen wasn’t just my baby brother; he was like my own little boy.

He was a tiny little fellow and had speech difficulties. His speech impediment made him the target of bullies and the butt of many a joke. Griffen was the person most responsible for his dying — I more than acknowledge that. What I also know for sure is that bullying played a large role in Griffen losing his life and the world losing a bright light that was full of love.

You see, bullies are destructive and do irreparable damage to those they taunt and terrify. My sweet boy knew that all too well.

That brings me to this….

To me, it is not about politics. It is about humanity. I have been floored by so many who support Donald J. Trump. The man who holds the highest office in the land and one of the biggest bullies I have ever seen. He makes fun of the disabled. He attacks anyone who dares disagree with him. He shows a significant disdain for women and has no respect for others, including himself. He uses religion as a way to divide us. Honestly, I don’t think he would know Jesus if He showed up on his doorstep. Judgment, I know.

When I go to vote on Tuesday, I will be voting for Joe Biden. I will do that for my brother, who isn’t here to vote for someone like himself, and me. I will be voting for a man who has had to face bullies because of his own stutter. I will be voting for him because integrity and honesty matter. I will be voting for him because he believes in equality for all….that love is love, and nobody should determine who we can or cannot marry. I will be voting for him because he believes Black Lives Matter, and so do I. I will be voting for him because he chose to love his son Hunter through his addiction instead of shaming and disowning him. I will be voting for him because he has empathy. I will be voting for him because when I see Joe Biden, I see a man who has experienced loss and used every one of his gut-wrenching heartbreaks to make him a better, not a bitter man. I will be voting for him because he chooses love over hate and that my friend is more important than anything else in this world.

My heart tells me voting for Joe Biden is the right thing to do. My Soul knows that too.

I know from so many of you at least in South Carolina that I will be in the minority, which might cost me, but I would rather stand in my truth and the Light than to cower in the darkness of fear and be silent.

God teaches us that we are to, above all else, love one another. I try to choose love, even though I often fail. I am choosing love on Tuesday. I hope when you step into the booth, you will take a breath and think of Griffen and all of the kids like him. Do we want another four years of a person who does not have the capacity to care to love those who God made a little different? Do we want four more years of this constant chaos and destruction? I don’t think many of you do either, but we have become so hardened and polarized we think to change is to betray. That is not true. To change is to grow. We are bigger than any political party, and ultimately, our allegiance should be to the One who made us.

Contrary to what I have read, I am not some radical left-leaning socialist who loves satan and wants to take God out of our country. I am a compassionate, loving human being who wants to see more God in others and the world be a better place. I am not a Republican or a Democrat. I am God’s child. Period.

My prayer will be that there will be enough of us who are tired of the hate, the anger, and the chaos to make a difference. It isn’t about winning at all. It is about having the peace of mind in knowing that when it all came down to it, my choice came from a deeper place than me, and I know that in doing so, God will smile.

Much love and prayers for a more peaceful world!

Kim

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2 Comments

  • Reply
    Debbie Sutherlin
    December 29, 2020 at 2:38 pm

    What a beautiful expression of LOVE. We can not stand by silently and allow bullying and hate to exist. My beautiful brown granddaughter is counting on me to fight for all lives matter. I am looking forward to 2021 and a President that understands. God Bless the USA and change peoples hearts.

    • Reply
      Kimberly Parrish
      December 29, 2020 at 3:02 pm

      Debbie,

      Thank you for reading and sharing your thoughts!

      I agree that we must fight for all lives! I, too, am looking forward to a President that understands and has love in his heart.

      With time hopefully, all hearts will choose love and compassion. I’m holding out hope for that day!

      Much love to you,

      Kim

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