Putting It All In To Perspective

You know there is so much going on in the world today. Literally just this day alone, the world market has bounced back with an 888 climb in the Dow. Whatever that means, I know its good. Christians are being tortured and murdered in India. The war still rages on in Iraq. Crazy Kim Jong II has recovered from his stroke and is still ruling North Korea. There are floods in Yemen, Prince Charles is worried about the climate, while thousands of people are running from rebels in the Congo. Hundreds of thousand of people across the U.S. are waiting in voting lines up to 12 hours long for this historical election, with racial and ideology division brewing hatred and fear.

It all sounds pretty troubling. The economy is at an all time low and if you haven't been downsized, retired early or fired you are probably worried it's just around the corner. Your grocery bills are too high, the price of gas to fuel your car has finally gone down, but the price to heat your home has gone up. You have auto repairs and medical bills and your water heater went out. Your oldest child or your youngest child just got in to some minor trouble with the law, or they got a bad grade in school. The price of day care is eating up your pay check. The lists can go on and on.

And its all about power and money.

As we worry over all of those cares this week, one of our celebrated young women, Jennifer Hudson has lost almost her entire family in a heinous crime. Mother,Darnell Donerson, brother Jason Hudson and 7 year old nephew Julian King, have been violently murdered. Jennifer has realized the start of a budding and brilliant career, is newly engaged to a handsome and successful man, admired by thousands of fans, and yet I'd bet she would give it all back to have those three people alive and well. Three trips, in less than a week to the coroners office to identify the remains of her loved ones. Can you imagine?

When you look at the tragedy happening in this young woman's life and that of her sister Julia Hudson, doesn't it make your problems seem a little small today?

Have you told the people in your life that you love them? Are you with the one you love or wasting years with someone you are entirely incompatible with? Have you kissed your child, your mother or your brother today? Have you taken a niece or a nephew for some special time alone? When is the last time you spoke to your grandparents? Have you hugged your dad lately?

As I pray for Jennifer and Julia I am humbly reminded that we are all mortal. We get so caught up with the cares of our immediate world and the world at large that we forget it is all temporary. Those frightening headlines and bills and career dilemmas seem so monumental. We strive to achieve or to get by, exhaust so much energy in worry or competition. And yet no matter what our level of success or burdens, the only, truly important thing, is family.

That's melavision what's yours?

Nasty Politics

The race for the White House is getting really nasty. The hatred of racism is rising and fear is rampant. The truth about our history and the prejudice that so many of us have either forgotten or refuse to believe still exists is daring to resurface.

Those of us who are Christian believers, though not right wingers and misguided fundementalist realize that these times have been predestined to happen and for a specific purpose.

I believe one reason is because of the antipathy of our black youth. With the world influence of the hip hop culture, many have grown to believe that racism isn't dangerous, that it does not effect them. This is a wake up call for a whole generation of black people who neither appreciate, understand or care about what our ancestors and people just 40 years ago went through to get us the freedoms and benefits that we experience today.

As I read the newspapers and watch the political shows and browse the internet, there are numerous examples of the very racism that lynched so many of our young black men. The same racism that hosed down civil rights workers, or killed Emmit Till or even Martin Luther King Jr. The same racism that brought heroin to Harlem and malt liquor to all of the inner cities and crack cocaine.

Many black americans are getting angry and are starting to trade tirades and rants of violence and hatred. I say we are bigger than that, better than that. While our youth are suddenly faced with the ugliness of the past, with clear and present danger, let us take this opportunity to train them in the way they should go.

Let us not stoop to the level of those whose ignorance blinds them and fills them with hatred. Let us instead endeavor to take the high road as our leader has. We should not retort insult for insult but rather focus on our unity. It is the unity and hope of a people that will persevere. Please be mindful that our brother is the descendant of both African and Anglo heritage and we should be respectful of that.

The fear of those whose ignorance insites them, is real and powerful, but there is more power and more strength in hope and faith. So let us rather be shining examples of the man who has decided to follow his calling in spite of the danger, the hatred and the fear, to be a beacon of light. A pathway of change for a better America and a better world.