Cheryl Mendoza

So she’s an athlete that has a problem with the American flag and anthem?  So many opinions are thrown around, but since I don’t know this woman I don’t really worry about it.   

I did see a post, and it seemed unkind.  In thinking of the post I wondered,  did you take her struggle and confusion and make it into some kind of easy choice? 

What if God made her a gifted athlete?  Well we know He did, because she wouldn’t be doing what she’s doing if He hadn’t!  Does she see it as a gift from God?  Maybe, maybe not?  It really doesn’t matter, because God has a plan for peoples lives.  He gives gifts and abilities even if they (we) don’t use them for God’s glory.  We all still have them and still feel that pull to use them.  

She’s conflicted…. She has the abilities and the drive, but the only avenue to use them leads her to this position.  Competing for the country, that through it’s history, has a horrendous past with her people.  How can she not be conflicted?   

 It’s kinda like God and people.  I’ve met those who are angry with God, but still acknowledge Him.  And I would rather see someone wrestling with God than just dismiss Him.   So when you have someone who is mad at their country, don’t you think they can still be a good citizen or even an olympic athlete? 

Above all, this day is not the end of her story.  She’s in the middle and the end isn’t written yet.  And above all, my perceived end to her story is not God’s ending.  We don’t get to judge her in the middle of hers, as we hope we are not judged in the middle of ours! 

What this brings me to is Jesus, and influence.    Why should I worry about trying to influence  this woman to honor a flag?  That’s an earthly symbol that will pass away.  

Why would I use my influence for something that is temporal and will not last forever?  My influence is better used for something that is eternal.  So for me, my prayer is that I never let the earthly overshadow the eternal.  And truth be told, that’s my hope for you too!

When people tell me they’re having problems with their kids, I try to listen a lot and not give an opinion.  The only one good piece of advice I really have is this; whatever happens never say anything to hurt.  There are some words that you can never take back, and apologies will never be enough to erase.  We’ve lived by that in our household and looking back, I think we are seeing good results. 

Our sons like us, and they like each other.  I attribute much of that to that one piece of advice, of how we talked to and about each other.  

– Please listen to the words coming out of your mouth.  They may be poisonous.  Choose to speak life!

I wrote that out on election day….just a series of things I thought would be wise to remember, but I wanted to revisit this one today.  As I listen to people speak, I wonder if we truly hear ourselves?  And more so, if we truly weigh the impact of carelessly spoken words?  I think about words a lot.  I like writing more than conversations, because it gives me the opportunity to delete those careless words before they wound.  

And do not mistake my meaning.  I believe our words are leaving a mark, and it’s not a good one.  I have thought about it before…. 

“…..But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.  And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire….. “  James 3: 5&6

I have wondered if the spiritual is having an effect on the physical.  The more we let fly with our mouths, the more this world is on fire.   And it’s effecting us all, both spiritually and physically.  

So I leave you with the struggle in my own life.  To stop setting fires with my mouth.  To stop before I carelessly criticize, judge or let the sarcasm fly.  To instead bring beauty, love, encouragement and most of all hope.  

“Careless words stab like a sword, but the words of wise people bring healing.”  Proverbs 12:18

So Scott left yesterday and before we went our separate ways, we had a conversation about the state of the union.  We are both realists, but I have a heavy dose of optimism that helps me deal with looking at the facts.  He does not.  It was strange to sit and listen to my son articulate so well a viewpoint that I can understand, but ultimately must fight against.  I must have hope!  So in that spirit, I am penning a few thoughts.  

 – Pray.  God is in control no matter who wins.  And neither candidate is His choice.

 – Please listen to the words coming out of your mouth.  They may be poisonous.  Choose to speak life!

 – Trust the process.  The election process is run by your neighbors.  You trust them to watch your home when you’re gone, they bring you soup when you’re sick and you celebrate the holidays with them.  They are not here to steal an election from you. 

 – Put away your fire arms.  People will get hurt.  (Jeez Louise!!)

 – Don’t be scared.  You can be concerned, but if you start acting because of fear, that is when it will hit the fan.  And unfortunately right now, both sides are peddling fear to us all.  

 – If you think all is lost because your candidate did not win, you are wrong.  Our country has some hard work to do, and the person in the Oval Office can help or hinder it.  The fact is though the hard work is ours to do regardless.  

 – You are not 100% right.  How can I know this?  Because none of us are!  

Scott told me of letters that he had read.  They were written by normal men who were fighting in a war.  They were shocked to realize they were fighting and killing people they knew.  Fighting their own neighbors.  People they had much in common with.  There is nothing civil about war, whether it be fought with guns or with words. 

Again, my hope is not in a person, but in a Creator.  And I believe He has created us all out of His great love for us!  So today and into the future we who look to Jesus and choose to follow His example get to only respond in one way.  And that’s in LOVE.  Anything else is garbage.  So if I see you today…. I love you!  And may God give me the strength to continue to respond in love to all people for the rest of my days!  

I really need a  nap, but I was compelled to write.  I was talking to Mike this morning, and I brought up the prophet Isaiah.  Like doesn’t everyone?  I have always been struck by this one interaction with God.  He says that one year he see’s the Lord.  Holy cow….to say the least!  Isaiah goes on to describe the scene, and eventually he realizes his own sin in comparison to the glory of God.  He says “I have filthy lips and live among a people with filthy lips.”  For some reason, that verse has always gotten to me.  It was like Jesus was saying, “girl…this verse is for you!”  At some point when I started actually posting what I write, I felt that Isaiah’s moment in time had lessons for me. 

 Eventually an angel takes a burning coal from the altar and touches Isaiah’s lips and “cleanses” them.  It is then the Lord asks “who shall I send?”  Isaiah steps forward to take the job.  

After reading this, I’ve tried to write  what I think will honor God.  More importantly, I work hard to make sure what I say does not drag Jesus’ name through the mud.  Truthfully, because of this there are some thoughts in my head that have never make it to print.  When I am tempted to use sarcasm, a sharp wit or demeaning points to prove someone wrong, I think of Isaiah.  Of how he was burdened by his “unclean lips,”  and how I don’t want to live with that kind of burden.  I got enough other sin in my life to deal with.  

Plus I am reminded that in offering up my words to God, I am also in line to receive potential blessing from what I write.  The blessing of encouraging others, sharing strength and showing love to a world that is longing for that kind of love.  Plus ya just never know, He may even bless me with the opportunity to say something that is truly life changing. 

“All right then, the Lord himself will give you the sign.  Look! The virgin will conceive a
child!  She will give birth to a son and will call him Immanuel, which means God is with us.” Isaiah 7:14

If you want to check it out Isaiah’s meeting with God for yourself…..  Isaiah 6:1-7