RBC

October 26, 2013, I published the first article on the Mindful Minute blog. Since then, each article has been called “minutes.” The idea is that it offers readers to take a minute (ok a few minutes time wise) to see into what I’m thinking and maybe provide help or perspective to a certain situation in their life. Most of these minutes are based on my faith because my faith is what dictates my life and I certainly pray that you see that in me. I don’t want you to see me as trying to be perfect because Lord knows how flawed and sinful I am, but it has always been my hope that you see me as genuine. Even though my “minutes” are typically about my faith or the church (I am a Pastor after all), I don’t intend for my audience to be solely Christian. In fact, I know several people who read this blog that do not share my beliefs and that is great. I welcome any and all to be a part of these minutes.

So, today marks a milestone. While I haven’t been completely faithful in writing each week, sometimes taking considerably long hiatuses, today I am publishing the 100th minute of the Mindful Minute. As I look back, I have written about God, the church, social issues, one viral (for me) article on the ice bucket challenge, and things that God has placed on my heart that I simply couldn’t get out of my head. I love this part of my life. I love to write. I love my readers and I am constantly in the pursuit of gaining more readers- because I love my friends and I love interacting with people.

Today though, I am at a loss. It’s the 100th article and I am sitting here struggling to find words to type. I am struggling to find reason to celebrate. I am hurting and my heart breaks as I read post after post on social media from people I love, taught, admire, and look up to. It’s not pretty. I simply don’t know what to say. I guess I want you all to know that I love you and I can love you and not vote like you- either side. I’ve seen the growingly popular post that “you can’t tell someone you love them and vote for someone who will hurt them.” This is an unfortunate and narrow view of love and speaking from my point of view (because that’s all I can do), my love for you is, and always will be, greater than my vote for any one person and I have a long list of references on the other side of my political beliefs who will back that statement up. But that is the last I am going to mention voting because we have enough to read about the election and frankly, I’m tired. When I was trying to put my thoughts together just for this paragraph, I couldn’t help but think about the movie The Green Mile. Michael Clark Duncan played the character of John Coffey and his words perfectly convey what I am struggling with this morning:

“I’m tired, boss…Mostly, I’m tired of people being ugly to each other, I’m tired of all the pain I feel and hear in the world, every day. There’s too much of it. It’s like pieces of glass in my head, all the time.

-John Coffey, The Green Mile

So as the sun sets on the 100th minute of The Mindful Minute, I guess all there is left to say is…please. Please find a way to lift each other up. Please find a way to reach across the divide and be good to someone today. Please reach out to people, especially those who may not think like you, and bridge a gap that we keep waiting for someone else to close. Please listen to each other. There are so many people struggling, hurting, and looking for reasons to have hope. I love you all, let me know how I can help you today.

In Christ Alone,
Rev. Bro. Coach