Wednesday, November 30, 2022

November 30, 2022

Ohio is full of farmland, factories, humid summers, even colder winters, and it’s football country (Go Blue!)—it’s home. I was born here, and when I left, I never wanted to come back. Many of the reasons for me wanting to stay away were due to my personal war against snow and below-freezing temperatures. (The Findlay campus’ new Student Director, Zeeke, seemed frighteningly surprised when I told him true cold is when it is too cold to snow.)

My wife and I decided coming home was part of God’s plan. She knew before I did. But I’m stubborn, so it’s no surprise. We were definitely excited that the average commute in the Findlay area is 8 minutes compared to the sometimes 2-hour drive to the Pentagon. We began preparing our children for the changes they would experience in Ohio. They would be introduced to casseroles, real mosquitoes, and going to school, even after receiving a few inches of snow. Unfortunately, this list also included racism. It was the main reason I scoffed at returning. 

Things are certainly better now than when my siblings and I were younger. It was much more challenging then. My response now is better, too. Back then, my siblings and I physically fought against any disrespect or unwelcome glances. Unsavory words were always an invitation to continue a more heated conversation. I can’t speak for my siblings, but it never felt satisfying. Fighting always created more problems for us.

1 Peter 3:9, 11
9 Don’t repay evil for evil. Don’t retaliate with insults when people insult you. Instead, pay them back with a blessing. That is what God has called you to do, and he will grant you his blessing. … 11 Turn away from evil and do good. Search for peace, and work to maintain it.   

I’ve been honest with my kids about my upbringing. They know I returned being called the n-word the first time with a punch, which continued longer than I’m proud of. I’m sure some people still call me by that word, but I’ve only heard it twice in the last 18 years. 

The first of those times occurred in 2004, and my reaction was to ignore it. The second time occurred while I was playing basketball with my son and nephew a few weeks after moving back to Ohio, which I ignored again. 

It’s impossible to “see no evil” and “hear no evil,” but we can let God handle those things. Something inside me wants to tell my kids to handle things the way I did growing up, but parenting and learning how to forgive has stopped me each time. Teaching them a better way is the right thing. Thankfully, they’re quicker to listen than I was when my Mom tried to teach me.

Questions: 

What do you do when confronted by evil? How have your decisions hurt you?

Next Steps: 

When evil hurts you, work harder on things that create positivity. Pray about it, give it to God, and be an example to others. Read 1 Peter 3:9-12 and Proverbs 20:22 to further understand how to address evil moments in your life.

Prayer: 

Lord, I appreciate the lessons I’ve learned from trying to take matters into my own hands. Thank you for showing me how things can improve when I let you handle certain situations. I am better when I remember who I belong to. Amen.