My Thoughts On Ferguson

by Texas Homesteader 

 

We’ve all seen the news stories – it’s impossible to avoid the bombardment of images from Ferguson Missouri that shock & sadden me.  Of course the media is giddy with excitement, it’s their job to zoom in on chaos and tilt the story to try to entice feelings of anger or fear out of their viewers, even where none existed before.  I’m not here to write about the merits of either side of the issue, I’m here to voice my sadness over the entire ball of wax.

I’m saddened over the apparent deterioration of humanity against humanity, the groups on both sides of the issue that care only about themselves and are willing to step on their brothers to get it.   Dr. Martin Luther King once said “Returning violence for violence multiplies violence, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars… Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.”  What a wise and peace-loving man he was!  And even all these years later his words ring as true as ever.

Let there be peace on earth, and let it begin with ME! Our nation needs healing now, we all have a responsibility to help. #TexasHomesteader

With Christmas around the corner I’m typically filled with the joy and hope that the season always brings for me.  I believe strongly in the ripple effect, that what you do touches those around you whether you notice it or not, and their actions then touch others, and so on.  I often see random acts of kindness toward complete strangers and it fills my heart with love, eager to complete my own acts of kindness toward others. And isn’t that a wonderful thing?  But this year I’m feeling different, fearful, shocked and sad – almost wondering if it’s worth it this year to try to feel the joy.  What a tragedy!

I believe this world is filled with both beauty and ugliness, but you see what you look for.  If you look only for the bad things of this world, bad things are all you’ll see.  But if you look for beautiful things, those things of beauty will pop out at you instead.  So I’m making a determined effort to see beauty and I challenge you to do the same.  Take a moment to notice the sweet old couple strolling slowly hand-in-hand, smile at the sound of children laughing and playing at the park.

And yes, step out and do a complete random act of kindness for a stranger and ask them to pass that kindness on.  We all have a hand in healing our nation & we need to start by seeing the beauty to return our hearts to a place they should be this time of year.  I’m reminded of the lyrics of a song that seems to bring a tear of hope to my eye:

Let there be peace on Earth,
And let it begin with me.
Let there be peace on Earth,
The peace that was meant to be.

With God as our Father,
Brothers all are we,
Let me walk with my brother,
In perfect harmony.

Let peace begin with me,
Let this be the moment now,
With every step I take,
Let this be my solemn vow,

To take each moment and live each moment
In peace, eternally.
Let there be peace on Earth,
And let it begin with me.

 

May our merciful God in heaven touch our hearts and return peace and brotherhood to our beloved country.

~TxH~

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18 thoughts on “My Thoughts On Ferguson

  1. Terri Presser

    I agree with everyone that this is well said, lets pray peace over our countries and start in our corner of the world praying and caring especially as Christmas approaches. Thanks for sharing at Good Morning Mondays. Blessings

    Reply
    1. Texas Homesteader Post author

      If we all started in our corner of the world it would spread throughout. What a wonderful thing it would be Terri! ~TxH~

      Reply
  2. Rose

    Let there be Peace on Earth was the song I used as a lullaby when I rocked my children to sleep.

    Reply
  3. Emily

    I love how this post is about healing, and healing a nation.

    Reply
  4. victoria witte

    A really good post. The whole episode is a sad commentary on the state of things in this country. The destruction that went on in Ferguson was terrible and just made a bad situation worse.. Someone on TV said that the protesters had the right to congregate and voice their protests BUT that they had no right to destroy businesses and property of others. That kind of action is against the law!

    Reply
    1. Texas Homesteader Post author

      I think my feelings can be summed up like this Victoria: Yes as Americans we have the right for our voices to be heard. But as quoted from Oliver Windell Holmes, Jr. “The right to swing my fist ends where the other man’s nose begins.” ~TxH~

      Reply
  5. ColleenB.

    Amen! Well said Tammy. Such a wonderful poem.
    My heart goes out to those who have lost their place of business due to the fires. Just no excuse for that.
    Protesting and destroying one’s property is a whole other thing. Just no excuse for such things. People just need to have more respect for one another.
    ‘Spread Love not War.’

    Tanny, don’t know if you felt it there but we had an earthquake down this way around 11pm-11:30 and a small tremor afterwards. Was hard enough to knock a few things off the wall and shelves but nothing broken. We have had them down here before but it’s been awhile and nothing quite that strong as this one was.

    Reply
    1. Texas Homesteader Post author

      You’re certainly right when you say there’s just no excuse for such things Colleen. I did hear about the earthquake and wondered if it was in your area. Knocking tings off the wall & shelves, I have a hard time imagining that here in Texas! I’ve never experienced an earthquake before. ~TxH~

      Reply
      1. ColleenB.

        We have had small earthquakes in the past here in Johnson County, but this last one was the strongest thus far; rattling our windows. Had another smaller one shortly after 3am this morning.

        Reply
  6. Linda Thomson

    You are so right. We need to step back and feel the hope and joy of the season. If we try to spread that feeling to our family and friends, we will ALL feel more peace.

    Reply
  7. Judith C

    Well said. I can’t help but to wonder about the upbringing of these young people who fall into gangs and doing bad things. As parents, my husband and I constantly reminded our children as they were growing up: you will be responsible for your friend’s actions so choose your friends wisely, when you do bad things, bad things will happen to you, be your own destiny. I hate that so many people feel the need to protest and destroy innocent hardworking people’s businesses and property to show their support for a thug. You live as a thug you may die as a thug.

    Reply
    1. Texas Homesteader Post author

      My parents taught me, and I in turn taught my children “You become the company you keep”, very similar to your teachings. ~TxH~

      Reply
  8. penny m roberts hyde

    well said. I’m sick over the entire thing.

    Reply
    1. Texas Homesteader Post author

      Penny I think many are dismayed at how everything is playing out. But I can affect what happens in my corner of the world and I’ll spread love. If everyone does the same, wouldn’t this be a grand world?? ~TxH~

      Reply

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