Chocolate Castles as wel

I usually do not write about issues that cause conflict or issues that might cause people to not like me. I’m one of those who will do or keep quiet about most everything that might hurt peoples feelings. But last night on TV when we watched a nurse break down crying because she was so tired and overworked, it broke my heart. Her words to everyone listening were these: “most of this could have all been avoided had people got vaccinated.
It started me thinking about that. What is happening to our world when we choose to not listen to wise doctors who have tried to tell us that the vaccine works. When I hear people say that they are not getting the vaccine because they won’t let the government tell them what to do; why not? when they are just trying to keep us safe? Years ago, when government told us we had to get vaccinated for polio and small pox to be able to go to school, we did it. I remember watching some friends when I was a little girl who had to live in an iron lung because they contracted polio. My uncle became crippled with polio. But we as kids, stood in lines with our parents to receive the sugar cube with medicine in it to keep us from having polio. Then once again, when the government came in and told us we had to wear seat belts to avoid being thrown through the windshield, we accepted that. Our babies now have to be strapped in car seats. We pay taxes. Is it all of the social media that has stirred up so much discord that we have taken an attitude of; no one is going to tell me what to do!

Last night as we watched that nurse asking people to please reconsider getting the vaccine, all I could think about was why our hearts have changed so much. Why do we just automatically think that just because we are being told to do something that will keep us safe but also others, why would we not want to do that? Have we become such a proud people that we feel that no matter what we are being told, we cannot surrender our trust to people who know what is best for us? Maybe it is time for us to look inside of our hearts to ask ourselves why are we really not getting on board with this very necessary and important vaccination?

In the gospel of Matthew 22 verse 17 the Pharisees were trying to trick Jesus and “now tell us what you think about this: “is it right to pay taxes to the Roman government or not?” But Jesus knew their evil motives. “You hypocrites!” “whom are you trying to fool with your trick questions? Here, show me the Roman coin used for the tax.” When they handed him the coin, he asked, “whose picture and title are stamped on it?” “Caesars” the replied. “well then, give to Caesar what belongs to him. But everything that belongs to God be given to God.” His replay amazed them and they went away.

If you are wondering why I choose this scripture it is because what Jesus is saying is this, we need to honor and respect government. I know what you are thinking. But unless the government tells us to do something that is dishonoring to God or makes us do something that is against His laws or commands, as Christians, we should think about what we are called to do. And sometimes, our wills need to be in line with what is best for us and others, and not just refuse because we feel that we don’t want the government telling us what to do. And of course I do know that some have been told by doctors that because of certain health issues, they are recommending them not getting vaccinated. Totally understandable. And I do respect everyones opinions. This is just mine, so please don’t send me hate mail. It just scares me that we have become a world of so much “to each his own and no one can tell me what to do”.

God has given us wonderful doctors who are wise and who have given us medicines which help keep us safe from so many unknowns. Why do we not trust them, even though if we get sick from the things that the vaccines would have kept us from getting, we accept their medicine to help get us well. This has been an eye opener for me to ask myself some hard questions. Is my heart right in accepting that sometimes, in spite of the fact that the government sometimes makes some really bad decisions, it also makes some very good ones. In this case, they are trying to protect us and our families. We should be so grateful. Yes, we do live in the land of the free. But it is also the home of the brave. And sometimes being brave means we have to step out in faith and do what is best for everyone. And that is to get the vaccine. If this posts changes one person’s mind about being vaccinated, all glory goes to God. He put this on my heart to write last night.