I'm Really NOT A Jerk

I'm pretty opinionated and not afraid to share those opinions and sometimes I hear things that people say and I wonder what they're thinking but I'm not a jerk. 

When it comes to politics, I enjoy a debate.  I've mentioned before in my post Why I'm Blogging that I like to get riled up and debate politics but that doesn't mean I think I'm always right.  (I think I'm right a lot more than most of our politicians, though!) It also doesn't mean I think whoever I'm debating with is wrong, or stupid, or uninformed, or any of those other things people say when they debate politics.  I think we could all learn a lot from each other if we'd listen.  Yes, I'm a conservative, republican, christian.  No, I'm not close minded, a bigot, full or hate, or self righteous.  I'm not a jerk!

As far as parenting goes, I don't think I know anymore than anyone else does about it!  I think I try harder than some and probably not as hard as others.  I'm successful some days and others are epic failures.  I am a stay at home mom, but that doesn't mean I think I love my kids more than moms who choose to work or who work by circumstance.  I don't think my job is any harder or easier than a working mom's is.  I definitely think there are parts that are harder but there are awesome rewards too and I'm sure there are parts of working mom's day that are much harder than mine.  I truly believe we are all (most) trying to do the best we can.  None of us had kids to see how bad we could screw them up; inevitably some of you (ha!) will screw up your kids but it wasn't intentional. 

Religion plays a big part in both parenting and politics for me, and for everything I do.  I truly believe that judgement is in God's hands.

Matthew 7:1-5  Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?  How can you say to your brother, Let me take the speck out of your eye, when all the time there is a plank in your own eye?  You hypocrite first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

I try not to judge what others do, I don't always succeed, but I do try.  I don't believe acceptance means embracing something; I may not be thrilled with other's choices but I will accept them for who they are however that does NOT mean I have to like it!  There are things that I think are sinful and just plain wrong and it's my responsibility, as a christian and human, to try to be the best person/christian I can be and to help others do the same.  That doesn't mean bashing people, spewing hate, or being a jerk!  My religion means that I serve a God who is bigger than me, the creator of all things, king of kings.  I study the Bible, I praise God, and I'd like to model my life after Jesus.  It doesn't make me better than anyone else.

So, just because I'm opinionated on three very important topics in our lives doesn't mean I'm the only one who can have an opinion.  I think everyone should feel strongly about those three topics, open dialogue and less fear would benefit us all.  Maybe if our politicians and religious leaders could have open dialog we wouldn't be in the mess we're in today.  Everyone has to prove their point and show how right they are but sometimes it's a good idea to hear what other people say too. 

My friend Greg and I debate politics a lot; we are about as far apart on the political spectrum as two people can be.  We've been friends for 25 years so despite the fact that we've never agreed on anything, it's never come between us.  I don't think I've ever changed his stance on anything nor has he changed mine, but I'm pretty sure we've both learned something from each other's opinions.  I understand him more when we debate and I think he gets some insight from me as well.  We both hear each other out (probably thinking the other is crazy) and debate, but I'm really not a jerk (and neither is Greg)!