Answers to your questions Part 2

Here is part 2 of the top 10 questions I’ve been asked since starting this.

If God is great, why are so many of the people that follow Him so bad?

I'll admit that I struggle with this one because I tend to hold myself to a high standard, and as such, I hold others to a high standard as well.

Especially if they say they've given their life to God.

In that same instance, I'm reminded that I shouldn't be judging others. I'm as fallible as anyone.

The simple truth of the matter is that God is perfect. His son, Jesus, was the only perfect human to walk the earth.

The rest of us are broken and imperfect.

Because we're human and have all the complexities that come with that, we tend to taint that which we hold dear.

Take faith out of the equation and go onto Instagram, and you'll find people that seemingly have a perfect life. A lot of the time, it's just a façade. It isn't the truth of what the people are and what they're facing.

Christians, Catholics, Protestants, and all the others are human, just like those on IG.

While it's frustrating when I run into this, and I see it almost daily, I have to remind myself that they're just people. Most people want others to think highly of them. To look up to them. Not to see the imperfections.

At those times, I try to remind them that it's the imperfections that make us unique and beautiful and one of the many reasons God loves us.

Can you really move on from abuse?

I'm not going to lie. I thought about taking the easy way out on this one and just saying "yes."

The periods of abuse in my life aren't things I like thinking about. I've moved past them, but it still causes a reaction. But I put it out there, and I don't regret it, so I owe you a better answer than just yes.

For me, the memories of abuse are similar to loss in how it resides in me.

It is always just beneath the surface. Random things will come and bring it to the surface and slap me in the face.

Because I did the work to forgive, reflect, and find God, I can now take most of those times and see the lessons I'm supposed to learn from the resurfacing.

There are times where it overwhelms. That's okay. You just have to remember to push through it and that you aren't alone.

While it is possible to move on from abuse, that doesn't mean you forget what happened.

I wouldn't wish what happened during the hard times of my life on anyone, but as I look back, I know it forged who I am.

Without pain, you can't appreciate the pleasure. Without hardship, you'd never know what success is.

It's about keeping things in perspective and maintaining a healthy you.

God doesn't want us to hurt, but since people can choose to hurt us, I believe God wants us to use those times and lessons to help others. For me, it's worth the bad days because it gives me so many more good ones.

What do you find hardest after your past?

This was another one that caught me off guard. It was strange how quickly the answer came, though.

The hardest part for me after the challenges I've experienced is actually two things.

The first is the quickness I'm moved to anger when women, children, and animals are in pain.

I have a strong desire to protect them. I'll admit that when I find out anything in that category is being hurt, my first thought is to react physically. That's not always the right thing to do. There are times when it isn't an option, but that's almost always the better way when there is another way.

The second thing is my expectation of people and how quickly I can cut them off.

I'm very particular about who I let close to me. But I'm also particular about what I expect from people. I have had to learn that my expectations are not always going to be met, and that's natural.

I tell those that work for me to never try to keep pace or outwork me because it won't happen. It's not a fair fight.

It's the same with others. I can't expect everyone to have the same standards that I do. I know I expect things of myself that others won't.

God made us each differently, and it's something that should be embraced, not fought.

Do you write every day? Will you share more poetry or some songs?

These were tied for 9, so I combined them since they relate to each other.

I do write every day. Sometimes it's a few hard-fought-for lines of poetry, lyrics, or a novel. Other times it's a flood. But I do try to use the gifts God gave me daily.

I'm sure I'll share more poetry or lyrics at some point. They tend to be personal, so I don't share them often, except with a handful of people.

I feel sorry for whoever has to clean up my place when I pass on. The amount of notebooks they'll find with my nearly illegible scribble is going to be infuriating.

How old are you? Are you really single?

Like before, these were tied for 10, so I combined them. Even if they did make me laugh a bit.

I've inhabited this wonderful marble we live on for 46 years.

Yes, I'm quite single.

Do I want to spend the rest of my life alone? No. But if I do, I’ve had what many never do, and I know I was blessed by that, so, I'm still ahead of the curve.