I liked it better.....

when politics was a taboo subject. 

I'd like to thank Stephanie Sullivan for posting this little gem on a facebook post last week:
"Thanks to your insightful political facebook post, I have completely changed my views" [said by no one ever].  Um, yeah. 

I can't tell you how many times my fingers have itched to share something I found to be true, insightful, and damning to "the other side".  This morning, I so badly wanted to comment on a friend's post and tell her commenter just how wrong she was.  I wanted to stand up for my friend and the values we share.  I had all kinds of snarky comments ready, you know, to post in a passive-aggressive way. 

And then. 

In my bible reading this morning I came across this verse, "In a word, what I'm saying is, grow up.  You're kingdom subjects.  Now live like it.  Live out your God-created identity.  Live generously and graciously toward others, the way God lives towards you" (Matthew 5:48, the message).  Ouch.  This is totally not what I want to hear.  When I see an offensive bumper sticker or yard sign [or political facebook post], I want to scream, "I DON'T CARE WHAT YOU THINK"! Why do you think that you're so important that you imagine everyone wants to hear your views and thoughts?  (small aside: my facebook feed is blissfully free from political rhetoric - thank you friends!)

It is so very hard to be gracious and generous, isn't it?  I can tell you the location and persuasion of each and every yard sign in the surrounding mile radius for the last three presidential elections.  I remember blog posts that have angered me, discussions that left me irritated , and bumper stickers I find downright offensive.  This stuff brings out my worst side.  It's all very personal, isn't it?  I would like to suggest we keep it that way.  You have strong opinions?  Good, go vote in November.  The only thing you'll succeed in doing by publicizing your views is to anger those in opposition and garner a few "likes" or comments from supporters.  Big deal.  It's much easier to be gracious and generous to each other when we refrain from sharing our every thought.