The following definition is from Merriam Webster for common
sense: the ability to think and behave in a reasonable way and to make good
decisions. It always amazes
me or more so floors me when I see someone who I deeply respect post something
on social media without thinking a whole lot. This last week this happened with
a very well known evangelical preacher whose aging father has changed the
outlook of how pastors should relate to a larger context of cultures, countries
and different faiths and secular organizations.
The unfortunate fact is that this individual posted something that was
way too simplistic and showed such a lack of wisdom and plan old common sense.
What happens when
we ignore the wisdom of our parents, grandparents or respected seniors? We
cause the ongoing misunderstanding of what it will take for racial
reconciliation to be a reality in our country to go back a hundred years. I
know that I have been castigated a few times for using slang expressions when
blogging. My goal isn’t to please everyone but hopefully speak the truth and
see more hearts and minds able to understand the ongoing struggles of race and
class in our cities. The response to this individual in an open letter posted
on Facebook caused me to read a book, ‘Forgive Us: Confessions of a Compromised
Faith’.
I will be the first
to admit that one of the reasons for not having much common sense is based on
the premise that ignorance protects me from being responsible for past history.
The difficulty is that our future depends upon our willingness to study our
past, learn from it and then do something that gives the potential for tomorrow
to see racial harmony become more a part of our society. The sad fact is that
it is way too easy to absolve myself from pursuing common sense with the
assumption that I have no moral or spiritual obligation to take action on the
injustices that are in front of my face. I can say this because I clearly
didn’t cause the problem so why do I have to do anything about it.
I had lunch with
one of my close friends who is 84 with a teen he has mentored over the
last 7 years. This grandpa’s heart was to help this young lady figure out life.
The difficulty as he put it is that today no one actually communicates or pays
attention to anyone or anything. He was
quick to judge this upcoming generation that is too tied to iPhones or Androids
that require their attention 24/7. Grandpa’s very simple common sense advise to
my teen and me was to do something radical, communicate in person, eyeball to
eyeball and actually listen and then talk.
I truly believe
that it is possible for me to learn from my blunders when I don’t ask for
advice from my more experienced friends, wife or in-laws. I’m learning that the
second you push the enter key on your laptop the rest is history. So is it
possible for this well-known individual to redeem himself for the right
reasons? It isn’t to save face but to help all of us take the time with common
sense to better understand each other’s life stories. I can’t assume I have all
of the historical facts of what caused you to be in your present
circumstance. Much as I would hope that
you wouldn’t judge me too quickly before hearing my life story.
I love this quote,
‘Common sense is a flower that doesn’t grow in everyone’s garden.’ My question
and hope is to discover the ‘seeds’ for common sense that I can plant in my
life’s garden. I want to avoid not just embarrassment for myself but hurting
others by my over simplistic approach to their lives which clearly I don’t know
or understand. Big thanks to my Grandpa Art, who is like a second dad, for his
influence in my life!
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