Love One Another

I got a little fed up after reading on Facebook a post by a family member that led to a disagreement, and name-calling and disrespect for one another's opinions was the result.  I tend to stay away from controversy.  Most people who know me know where I am on the political and religious spectrum, just because I don't make it a secret.  But I can only speak for myself.  If you don't agree with me, then I'm not going to bash your head in until you do, and I don't expect you to do that, either.  But it's happening all around us!  Anyway, I posted the following on Facebook and it garnered a lot of support, if not comment (and I purposely asked folks to be civil, which might be why no one is commenting, other than with words of support):

It scares and saddens me that we can allow our political differences to tarnish and define our relationships with each other, rather than just understand that we're all different.  If we don't agree on something, that shouldn't mean that we can't be friends, or be civil to one another.  In today's culture, though, it appears that we're too close-minded to look past these differences, and hate and disgust replaces love.  Name-calling and labels replace individuality.  How does God put up with us?  We're all sinners.  (I'm not looking to start a debate here...if you're going to comment, you better be civil.  I purposefully stay out of political and religious debates here on FB because I don't believe it belongs on here... I'd rather just connect with my friends and loved ones.  If you know me, you know where I stand.)  John 13:34-35 (NIV) - "A new command I give you:  Love one another.  As I have loved you, so you must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."  No one is allowed to have an opinion anymore without being picked on and hated by everyone that disagrees with them.  Civil discourse doesn't seem to exist anymore.  Political correctness comes before common sense.  Right equals might.  Disagreement leads to bullying.  It's crazy.  I'm just disheartened by it all.

I guess I'm just naive to think that we can all just get along.  Christianity by its very nature seems to garner hate by those who don't subscribe to its teachings.  I'm hated just for being a Christ-follower, yet Jesus told us all to love one another.  I'm not saying I do it all the time.  I try, though.  I want to be the person my dog thinks I am.  I want to love and be loved, knowing that's impossible.  But I'm trying.

Have a great evening, everyone!  Tell your loved ones how much you love them. You can't say it enough.