All my “doodles” are in a box by my couch, in order, so I thought.  So here I go, putting yesterday’s doodle in for today, noticing a glaring misspelling (I am a horrible speller and if you don’t see the misspelling, I’m not alone, which is comforting.) and explaining or vindicating myself–ha ha!  Does that mean I need validation?

I remember last year being struck by St. Augustine’s prayer and by what Oswald Chambers had to add–it was important for me to hear in regard to why I was taking the time to doodle responses to my devotionals and how people in my life felt about me doing so.

St. Augustine prayed, ‘Oh Lord, deliver me from this lust of always vindicating myself.’  Such a need for constant vindication destroys our soul’s faith in God.  Don’t say, ‘I must explain myself,’ or, ‘I must get people to understand.’  Our Lord never explained anything–He left the misunderstandings or misconceptions of others to correct themselves.  —Oswald Chambers

An excellent thought to remember even still and especially now in light of our world situation.  After the terrorist attacks in Paris it seems that everyone (I say that broadly) wants to jump on a bandwagon, especially on social media–all of which are based on narrow opinions and or multiple possible outcomes.  It is nauseating me.  Yes, the way I personally deal with an issue is different than how a country should deal with an issue–or is it?  Honestly, I don’t know.  A wise man once said, “Every solution creates a problem.”  It’s a saying that fits every situation.  For me personally and as an individual Christian (drum roll, I’m about to take a stance), I am called to love, even if someone hurts me.  Remember Jesus’ words as He was dying? “Father forgive them for they know not what they are doing.”  If I filter my personal actions through unconditional love I can’t go wrong.  As a country on the other hand–ugh!!! This is where I go to my “happy place” and tune out–God is in absolute control!