Dash of Sass: Let’s Start a Love Revolution

Quotes of the Day:

“Character is both developed and revealed by tests, and all of life is a test… You will be tested by major changes, delayed promises, impossible problems, unanswered prayers, undeserved criticism, and even senseless tragedies.” ~Rick Warren

“Adversity doesn’t build character, it reveals it.” ~Unknown

“Here’s a tip: If you’re arguing against empathy, no matter the context, you’re on the wrong side.” ~Kumail Nanjiani

“Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.” ~Jesus

The Single Woman Says:

Yesterday I saw both the very best and the very worst that social media has to offer following the Boston Marathon attacks. I saw portraits of people grieving alongside the city of Boston, people longing to help in some small way, people praying and loving and hoping and believing…and then I saw others judging and pointing fingers and using the tragedy as a platform for griping and complaining and political grandstanding. And through it all, I prayed. I prayed that God would send His grace rushing in to Boston and cover the victims and their families, the hurt and the broken and the despairing. I prayed that the perpetrator(s) of this horrible senseless crime would be caught. I prayed that our country would find a way to come together to lift up this great city and help them recover from this event. And as I was praying, something started to hit me. Every tragic event, from Aurora Colorado to Newtown Connecticut to now Boston Massachusetts is an opportunity to grow in mercy and grace, compassion and love. Even the small daily challenges that we face every day don’t define us…they reveal us. People don’t suddenly become merciless or hardhearted or cruel, it was in them all along. Any more than people don’t suddenly become heroic or brave or empathetic – their greatness was always there, waiting for the right circumstances to reveal it. Even Jesus Himself said “out of the abundance of the heart, the mouth speaks.” I also think that out of the abundance of the heart, the action follows.  If your first response to a tragedy like yesterday’s is to love, to pray, to help, to do your part to carry the load for the heartbroken…your light is shining brilliantly for the world to see. But if your response was to look for ways to criticize and hold innocent groups of people in contempt and throw barbs at the president or the Muslim community or even at others who are doing their part to help (I actually witnessed this)…then you still have some evolving to do. Senseless tragedies aren’t fair. They defy explanation. They cause us to question everything and doubt everyone, including ourselves. But the way to understanding is never achieved through hate, or judgment, or criticism. Whether you were in Boston yesterday or on the other side of the world…hurting people are hurting people, and it is our responsibility as fellow human beings to do our part to cover them in love and prayer and compassion. If that is NOT your automatic response, it’s time to ask yourself why. Someone else’s tragedy today could be yours tomorrow. We never know when acts of horror and hatred and evil are going to show up in our own backyards, particularly in the world we are living in today. I say that not to frighten you, but to ask you with love to react to the misfortune and the unimaginable heartbreak and the calamity that befalls others in the same way you would hope they would react to yours. The Bible says “In everything, therefore, treat people the same way you want them to treat you.” Maybe your calling isn’t to run into burning buildings or put your life on the line or scale mountains to save lives…but it IS your calling to love. Love is the great equalizer. Everyone can’t save the world, but everyone CAN love.

The world will change when love gets louder than hate. It’s time for the good people of the world to rise up and start a love revolution.

Join me?

One Response to “ Dash of Sass: Let’s Start a Love Revolution ”

  1. Tumisang
    December 26, 2013

    ‘People dnt become hardhearted and cruel suddenly it ws in them all along’ i think dt we are al born innocent and wt potential to do bad and good,we choose who we want to be eg sum wmen chose to surrender life challenges accept its troubles and are fully invoveld in missionaries,others decided to go head on wt life cums storms ,tribulations dey wl persevere others went to an extend to kill husbands,gave into prostitution,wat we are exposed to influences our choices which inturn reveals character. Character dt wl intrn define dt persn wen it shudnt.cos everytime wen bow dwn asking for forgivens God forgives and cleanses you.

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Something wonderful is on the horizon
Turn Toward the Sun CoverLife doesn’t always look the way we want it to look. In Mandy’s upcoming book, Turn Toward the Sun: Releasing What If and Embracing What Is, you’ll find encouragement to live in the moment, sit with your experiences, and trust God with the unknown.
Preorder from Baker Book House for 40% off and free shipping!*
*US shipping only