Noon. A Mexican taco truck. Birmingham. This parking lot is packed, if there was an empty square-inch of space it’s already filled with a Nissan or a Kia. Earlier this morning, I was on a radio show. The host drilled me with loaded questions. It was a disaster. I was supposed to be plugging my new book, instead the host was asking slanted questions about hot-button, divisive topics.
Could be Mexican food…, eaten in a park…, asking each other questions…, appreciatin’ whatever anybody says. Chilaquiles, tamales verdes, and no politicians trying to win by slicing and dicing us instead of an enchilada.
It's not hard to figure out the things that will save this country, as well as this world. We just need to put them into practice! You do really well expressing your thoughts and feelings in plain words - your own and those of others - that folks can understand and identify with. As for your interviewer, I guess nobody ever taught him you can't make yourself look bigger by trying to make someone else look small. Have a blessed day!
1965 song, written by Hal David, composed by Burt Bacharach and first made popular by Jackie DeShannon…..🎶What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love🎶
Of course Jesus said it best. To paraphrase: “Love God, love people.”
Divisive questions are designed to expose the guest. And to cause the audience to judge. To love or hate you for your answers. To applaud the host for laying bare your soul. For uncovering a ‘truth’ that assimilates or doesn’t. To garner a reaction Jerry Springer style. Or that of the Roman Colosseum.
Anyone who’s read your column for any length of time knows you are about encouraging and loving ‘everyone’. It would stand that divisive questions would be foreign to you. As foreign as someone who doesn’t like taters for instance.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” ~ John 13:35
You had the answer all along.
Notice Jesus doesn’t say ‘if everyone loves you’. The person in the mirror must love first. The consequences are to be of no consequence..to us.
It is truly amazing what you can learn from doing insightful research. Does the “common man” strike a chord? The really interesting thing is that the question nudged at the back of your mind/heart even though you were standing in line anticipating not the delight awaiting your palate but that sneaky. So called “failed” interview and that singular thought that would not let go. Out of all the people you approached, how many left that space and took that question to other souls who took it to yet others. And, who knows, it might become the question that reverberated around? And to think, my dear Sean, the was residing quietly in your very soul. Taters.
"Taters" is probably everybody's first favorite food. And "L" is every child's assumption, every young person's expectation, and every middle-aged person's feeling that there just ain't enough of it. By the time you reach my age, you're thankful somebody out there still loves your sorry a - uh, butt. Giving it is harder; there are so many with other agendas. But the start of it all is respect. Not ego. Too bad humans have such a hard time understanding that.
Except everybody who Sean butts into their lives with his insatiable habit of listening - something all of us should do more of - brings us the heart and soul of America. Sean, you reassure me that there are still normal, everyday, smart people out there who get it. Taters aren't considered "comfort food" for no reason.
I love this! As soon as you introduced the question posed to you, I thought of my own answer. It came to me immediately - kindness. With certainty I cannot say that would have always come out of my mouth, it probably would have been love for most of my life. I just turned 50. lost both parents and my youngest brother in recent years (very close together). Grief is transformative, it provides a clarity and simplicity if you are open to it (in my opinion). I have learned that love alone is not where it’s at, it has to be married to kindness to make it actionable. Thanks for this story and for making me think (your writings always do).
My Aunt Dot didn't graduate from high school either. Yet, she taught me to read. She also taught me patience. She’d sit and read to me for hours and then would sit and let me sound out all the words she read. Thanks, Dot! She also taught me one of the greatest lessons a child could learn…the L word was not lost on me. I think everyone knows the answer to your question…they just have to practice it.
Here is my answer to the pending question…
The answer starts with me (you) as an individual-
10 Create [i]in me a clean heart, God,
And renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me away from Your presence,
And do not take Your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of Your salvation,
And sustain me with a willing spirit.
Psalm 51:10-12 (NASB)
Could be Mexican food…, eaten in a park…, asking each other questions…, appreciatin’ whatever anybody says. Chilaquiles, tamales verdes, and no politicians trying to win by slicing and dicing us instead of an enchilada.
It's not hard to figure out the things that will save this country, as well as this world. We just need to put them into practice! You do really well expressing your thoughts and feelings in plain words - your own and those of others - that folks can understand and identify with. As for your interviewer, I guess nobody ever taught him you can't make yourself look bigger by trying to make someone else look small. Have a blessed day!
Sean, I hope the L word is one of these: Lord or LOVE.
1965 song, written by Hal David, composed by Burt Bacharach and first made popular by Jackie DeShannon…..🎶What the World Needs Now is Love, Sweet Love🎶
Of course Jesus said it best. To paraphrase: “Love God, love people.”
That’s all folks!!
Great reminder, Sean!!
You’re doing it Sean. You’re putting “L” into practice. And that’s why and how this country will be, actually “is”, saved. Even the “world”.
Divisive questions are designed to expose the guest. And to cause the audience to judge. To love or hate you for your answers. To applaud the host for laying bare your soul. For uncovering a ‘truth’ that assimilates or doesn’t. To garner a reaction Jerry Springer style. Or that of the Roman Colosseum.
Anyone who’s read your column for any length of time knows you are about encouraging and loving ‘everyone’. It would stand that divisive questions would be foreign to you. As foreign as someone who doesn’t like taters for instance.
“By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” ~ John 13:35
You had the answer all along.
Notice Jesus doesn’t say ‘if everyone loves you’. The person in the mirror must love first. The consequences are to be of no consequence..to us.
Sending love to everyone here. ♥️
It is truly amazing what you can learn from doing insightful research. Does the “common man” strike a chord? The really interesting thing is that the question nudged at the back of your mind/heart even though you were standing in line anticipating not the delight awaiting your palate but that sneaky. So called “failed” interview and that singular thought that would not let go. Out of all the people you approached, how many left that space and took that question to other souls who took it to yet others. And, who knows, it might become the question that reverberated around? And to think, my dear Sean, the was residing quietly in your very soul. Taters.
"Taters" is probably everybody's first favorite food. And "L" is every child's assumption, every young person's expectation, and every middle-aged person's feeling that there just ain't enough of it. By the time you reach my age, you're thankful somebody out there still loves your sorry a - uh, butt. Giving it is harder; there are so many with other agendas. But the start of it all is respect. Not ego. Too bad humans have such a hard time understanding that.
Except everybody who Sean butts into their lives with his insatiable habit of listening - something all of us should do more of - brings us the heart and soul of America. Sean, you reassure me that there are still normal, everyday, smart people out there who get it. Taters aren't considered "comfort food" for no reason.
I love this! As soon as you introduced the question posed to you, I thought of my own answer. It came to me immediately - kindness. With certainty I cannot say that would have always come out of my mouth, it probably would have been love for most of my life. I just turned 50. lost both parents and my youngest brother in recent years (very close together). Grief is transformative, it provides a clarity and simplicity if you are open to it (in my opinion). I have learned that love alone is not where it’s at, it has to be married to kindness to make it actionable. Thanks for this story and for making me think (your writings always do).
My Aunt Dot didn't graduate from high school either. Yet, she taught me to read. She also taught me patience. She’d sit and read to me for hours and then would sit and let me sound out all the words she read. Thanks, Dot! She also taught me one of the greatest lessons a child could learn…the L word was not lost on me. I think everyone knows the answer to your question…they just have to practice it.
‘Taters!
Every one of the answers given by random strangers would save every country on earth. Love is all we need.
The only thing that can save the world is Jesus. Jesus is love. 🙌🏻✝️
Country, hell—taters, aka "L" will save the WORLD! Simple as that. Thanks as always, Sean!!
Taters.