By Sister Shirley Tarpley
Dear Readers: This is one of my most requested columns; and with so much turmoil in our society today, many people are stressed, but, if they would stop and think before they speak, I believe a lot of things that causes stress could be eliminated.
No one really knows how old he was since his birth records were long ago lost in bureaucratic red tape. He selflessly devoted his life to service in schools, hospitals, homes, factories and offices, helping folks get jobs done without fanfare and foolishness. For decades, petty rules, silly laws and frivolous lawsuits held no power over Common Sense. He was credited with cultivating such valued lessons as, ”To know when to come in out of the rain” “The early bird gets the worm, and “Life isn’t always fair.”
Common Sense lived by simple, sound financial policies (don’t spend more than you earn) reliable parenting strategies (the adults are in charge, not the kids) and it’s OK to come in second (or even last, as long as you did your best.) A veteran of the Industrial Revolution, the Great Depression and the Technological Revolution, Common Sense survived cultural and educational trends including body piercing, tattoos, whole language and “new math.” But his health declined when he became infected with the “If-it-only-helps-one-person-it’s-worth-it” virus.
In recent decades his waning strength proved no match for the ravages of overbearing regulations. He watched in pain as self-seeking lawyers ruled good people. His health rapidly deteriorated when schools endlessly implemented zero tolerance policies, reports of 6-year-old boys charged with sexual harassment for kissing a classmate, a teen suspended for taking a swig of mouthwash after lunch and a teacher was fired for reprimanding an unruly student.
It declined even further when schools had to get parents consent to administer aspirin to a student but cannot inform the parent when the female student is pregnant or wants an abortion.
Finally, Common Sense lost his will to live as the Ten Commandments became contraband, churches became businesses, criminals received better treatment than victims and federal judges stuck their noses in everything from Boy Scouts to professional sports. And when a woman who was stupid enough not to realize that coffee is hot, and was awarded a huge payout for her stupidity, this really caused Common Sense to finally throw in the towel!
Common Sense was preceded in death by his parents, Truth and Trust; his wife, Discretion; his daughter, Responsibility; and his son, Reason. Two stepbrothers, My Rights and Ima Whiner, survive him. Not many attended his funeral because so few realized that he was gone.—Author Unknown
God is Speaking to You. “I will hear what God the Lord will speak: for He will speak peace unto His people, and to His saints: but let them not turn again to folly.” Psalm 85:8. (KJV)
Many people who see God as distant and impersonal may be surprised to know that God talks to everyone; if they believe in Him or not. God’s desire is for us to know Him and have a personal relationship with Him. He seeks to communicate with us.
For people that are willing to hear God, His voice can be recognized by reading the Bible, it contains His Word. He also speaks through other believers. He even speaks through circumstances and the wonders of His creation. God tries many ways to get our attention.
It is often said that God speaks to us in a quiet voice and our spirit must be still and at peace before we can hear Him. When our lives are filled with the clamor of this world, God’s quiet voice can’t be heard. Listen to what God is saying to you and don’t be stressed.
