Excellent. Like you, my career requires detached neutrality. Yet, like yours, it also requires engagement.
Being able to have personal opinions and take personal stands without allowing them to interfere with professional responsibilities is a learned skill. It came easier to me than others, perhaps, but that’s just a function of how I’m made. You’ll get it, too.
I was already angry at a young PCA woman who clearly has ambitions to be the Presbyterian Megan Basham uncritically sharing the quote on Twitter. Now I'm incandescent with rage at this, on your behalf, and on behalf of my numerous Black sisters who deal with this on a regular basis. Thanks for sharing this chapter of your story so openly and risking opening up old wounds again.
Loved this! I'm always curious about what is the motivation behind why people behave and say the things they do. We can come from all political spectrums and still recognize abuse. We can all recognize when someone's crossed the line and should hold them in check. I'm saddened by how rarely political activists on either side are willing to call out their own when that abuse happens.
My observation of Michelle Obama is she is present. Very intelligent, able to stay present in time of danger. She is what we are all called into. Very few of us are well enough trained. She agreed to be in a dangerous space when she agreed to go with her husband into the campaign for the Presidency. She will not use violence if her influence is not received. The man with the microphone that made that strange statement, wanted to hurt her. Murder her with words. People who do not believe Jesus is real, is God, want to do that to everyone who does believe Jesus is real. You are not really talking about Michelle, you are talking about us. Will we be able to stay present in the danger? To hear Holy Spirit in the moment and let Him help us.
Jamie Winship has an extraordinary story. He has learned how to do this and teaches.
Long time since contacting you. The comments about Michelle Obama in the shadow of the White House are disturbing. Horrible things said seems to be the Lyra Franca of our world. No one is safe, no matter how benign they may be. In my 73 years of life, I seem to be witnessing the entire collapse of our civilization. Everyone cutting a piece off the hog until there is nothing left. A place where tranquility should be evident among the people of God. Is Jesus said the world would be witness to it and somewhat a judge of it. However, in this day and age that seems to be less less the case. I have come to a conclusion that safety in this world is a myth. It is something that way as human beings have been deluded about since the fall of mankind. Safe places are only penultimate. But I think in the recognition of that there is great freedom. That I do not have to find peace or safety to have peace or safety. Very few things endure over a lifetime but what we can be grateful for are those chapters in our lives when they have existed. And we pray they serve as an example to our children that we live leave behind.
As usual Aimee you have words of wisdom and clarity on the subject. It pains me considerably that so very much of this attitude shows up in the churches. The very ones who are called to nurture and care for the least of these. What a shameful thing to witness. No wonder people a fleeing the “church” to find Jesus. Safety seems to be fleeting but blessed is the one who finds it.
You are beautiful inside and out! Those people are the worst and know nothing.
I feel so repelled by the entire MAGA sensibility. The fact that the President posted an AI-generated image of my city in flames “joking” about invading us and barely anyone batted an eye because the public discourse is so degraded now says a lot about how low these people go, how often.
Makes me think of what Jesus said (Matthew 12:34, 36):
the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.
. . . everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken.
Excellent. Like you, my career requires detached neutrality. Yet, like yours, it also requires engagement.
Being able to have personal opinions and take personal stands without allowing them to interfere with professional responsibilities is a learned skill. It came easier to me than others, perhaps, but that’s just a function of how I’m made. You’ll get it, too.
Thanks Tim. I know that even with all your carefulness people still try to weaponize it.
So many times.
“He made that decision because he’s such a progressive/conservative/liberal/socialist/libertarian/capitalist/communist/vegan.”
Take your pick! 😂
I was already angry at a young PCA woman who clearly has ambitions to be the Presbyterian Megan Basham uncritically sharing the quote on Twitter. Now I'm incandescent with rage at this, on your behalf, and on behalf of my numerous Black sisters who deal with this on a regular basis. Thanks for sharing this chapter of your story so openly and risking opening up old wounds again.
Loved this! I'm always curious about what is the motivation behind why people behave and say the things they do. We can come from all political spectrums and still recognize abuse. We can all recognize when someone's crossed the line and should hold them in check. I'm saddened by how rarely political activists on either side are willing to call out their own when that abuse happens.
Yes, this is so important. Of course, I know the consequences when you do!
My observation of Michelle Obama is she is present. Very intelligent, able to stay present in time of danger. She is what we are all called into. Very few of us are well enough trained. She agreed to be in a dangerous space when she agreed to go with her husband into the campaign for the Presidency. She will not use violence if her influence is not received. The man with the microphone that made that strange statement, wanted to hurt her. Murder her with words. People who do not believe Jesus is real, is God, want to do that to everyone who does believe Jesus is real. You are not really talking about Michelle, you are talking about us. Will we be able to stay present in the danger? To hear Holy Spirit in the moment and let Him help us.
Jamie Winship has an extraordinary story. He has learned how to do this and teaches.
Long time since contacting you. The comments about Michelle Obama in the shadow of the White House are disturbing. Horrible things said seems to be the Lyra Franca of our world. No one is safe, no matter how benign they may be. In my 73 years of life, I seem to be witnessing the entire collapse of our civilization. Everyone cutting a piece off the hog until there is nothing left. A place where tranquility should be evident among the people of God. Is Jesus said the world would be witness to it and somewhat a judge of it. However, in this day and age that seems to be less less the case. I have come to a conclusion that safety in this world is a myth. It is something that way as human beings have been deluded about since the fall of mankind. Safe places are only penultimate. But I think in the recognition of that there is great freedom. That I do not have to find peace or safety to have peace or safety. Very few things endure over a lifetime but what we can be grateful for are those chapters in our lives when they have existed. And we pray they serve as an example to our children that we live leave behind.
The people who tell you everything is political are the people who'd see authorities interfering in every aspect of your life.
As usual Aimee you have words of wisdom and clarity on the subject. It pains me considerably that so very much of this attitude shows up in the churches. The very ones who are called to nurture and care for the least of these. What a shameful thing to witness. No wonder people a fleeing the “church” to find Jesus. Safety seems to be fleeting but blessed is the one who finds it.
Oof. The Venn Diagram of the attitudes played out on the White House lawn and how you’ve been treated are eerily circular… What a shame.
But, thanks for your takes. Truth-tellers tend to be punching bags.
Keep keepin’!
You are beautiful inside and out! Those people are the worst and know nothing.
I feel so repelled by the entire MAGA sensibility. The fact that the President posted an AI-generated image of my city in flames “joking” about invading us and barely anyone batted an eye because the public discourse is so degraded now says a lot about how low these people go, how often.
Well said