More below the flip if you can stand it...
Dearest Jane,
You are my friend and a lady whom I respect, admire and care about. You have been my neighbor, my patient and caring landlady in a most failing enterprise, my beloved little bookstore, and from what I can see, a woman who cares deeply for her family and is loving and good in all ways. I have seen you give unselfishly to others. Always.
So, here I sit, with shaking fingers, wondering just what to type, after just having read that email you sent me. I know these things make the rounds, have been making them for over a year now. How terrible, how awful for our beloved country that we are reduced to this. How very.....Unchristian! Though I do not practice my own Christianity in our local churches (and the heretoforementioned email is one of the reasons why), it does not make me any less of a Christian. Indeed, for my own soul and forgiveness I pray. I pray for tolerance and love for my own fellow man. I pray, most of all that we may someday learn to all love one another, truly, as Jesus taught us. Unconditionally. I pray for my family and all families. I pray many prayers of gratitude and confess freely that those are the easiest prayers of all, for we have been gifted with such a beautiful world in which to live. I thank God for my and my family's health and happiness, my beautiful children and grandchildren. I pray for peace and no more war, and in that prayer are included my grandsons and your's too. I pray for forgiveness for my judgement of others and so I will say, that I will not be angry over this thing, because it would be wrong. Hurt, yes. You must know me well enough by now to know that I have not countenanced what George Bush and the Republicans have done to this country over these last 8 years. You must know by now the damage that most Americans feel has been done! We have over 4,500 dead soldiers and over 30,000 wounded. Do you think we want more of this? Do you think I wish to sacrifice my own grandsons to this? I don't and I truly don't think you want your grandsons to be either.
Barack Obama, his beautiful wife Michelle and their two lovely daughters are in my prayers as well. He has said, too many times to count that he is a Christian. I can only give you this example from one of his books that I have read. It brought me to tears when I read it, for in this man I see humility, courage and true Christianity.
A brief preface: Senator Robert Byrd of West Virginia is in his nineties now and once upon a time, years ago, he belonged to the Klu Klux Klan. He has apologized for it many, many times over the years with the deepest of regrets and knows how wrong he was. He is also a man who loves and knows our constitution almost better than any and has written a set of books about it. When Senator Obama went to his office to meet him, shortly after being inducted into the Senate, here is what Obama wrote when Senator Byrd was gifting him with a set of these books:
*****************
"So few people read the Constitution today," Senator Byrd said, pulling out his copy from his breast pocket. "I've always said, this document and the Holy Bible, they've been all the guidance I need."
Before I left, he insisted that his secretary bring in a set of his Senate histories for me to have. As he slowly set the beautifully bound books on the table and searched for a pen, I told him how remarkable it was that he had found the time to write.
"Oh, I have been very fortunate," he said, nodding to himself. "Much to be thankful for. There's not much I wouldn't do over". Suddenly he paused and looked squarely into my eyes. "I only have one regret, you know. The foolishness of youth..."
We sat there for a moment, considering the gap of years and experience between us.
"We all have regrets, Senator," I said finally. "We just ask that in the end, God's grace shines upon us."
He studied my face for a moment, then nodded with the slightest of smiles and flipped open the cover on one of the books. "God's grace. Yes indeed. Let me sign these for you then," he said, and taking one hand to steady the other, he slowly scratched his name on the gift.
*******************
Jane, this passage is from "The Audicity of Hope", Senator Barack Obama's book, page 100, and is my very favorite part of the book. When I tell others about that part, I always tear up because it truly touches my heart in such a deep and profound way. Here is a man of forgiveness and love. Patience and caring and most of all tolerance of his fellow man, no matter their race, creed or religion. Our founding father's intent was to give us all freedom OF religion, not FROM religion, but that religion, whatever it may be, is our choice. Even, the lack of it in some people's cases. Is it coincidence that God has given us as human beings free will? Who are we to so condemn others who do not believe as we? Barack Obama has said many, many times that he is a Christian but he has never condemned any one who is not. Does that make him bad? What of those who are Jewish? Do we condemn them as well? I don't understand why these things are as they are. But I could easily see that if this continues that one day a Baptist may be at war with a Methodist or a Pentacostal, or Catholic. And how, please tell me how, did we get to a place, as a country, where one party or the other, Republican or Democrat can lay claim to the belief of Christianity? Will mankind go to some awful place someday because we are all so sure that our way is the only way? How do we know?
THIS. MUST. STOP.
Only God can know our hearts, each and every one individually. We must stop judging others so quickly with so little knowledge of what may lie in another's heart and soul. We can all, only do our best to be kind and loving toward one another! I love the Lord and His Son Jesus Christ, call myself a Christian because that is my belief and my own personal salvation. But I WILL NOT hate others who are not like me! I will love them because God has commanded it and because in my heart of hearts I believe that under each and every human breast, no matter the color, or creed, there beats the heart of a human soul whom God loves equally. Each life, old and young. We are all his children.
I hope this has not been too long and tedious for you to read and most of all I hope you know that I am your friend and admirer. And I hope you know that most of all these words that I have written are my heart and I am trusting you to see what is within.
Love,
Deborah
There isn't anymore to say really, except that I changed the name of my friend. And this. Enough is enough!