GUY STAFF

A friend of mine once took to social media with some very wise words that are worthy of repeating.

Kelle Smallwood works for Guaranty Bank in their New Boston office. Kelle said one day, “Trying to figure out why everyone seems to have the ability to make something negative, or only see the negative side of certain posts on FB. Try turning it around and see it from a positive perspective.”

I could not agree more.

We live in a cynical world where everyone’s mistakes and foibles seem to get broadcast to the whole world on social media, and a negative comment will get commented on over and over. People will sit and follow these threads with popcorn in their hands, as if some dramatic scene is being played to the delight of dirt hungry spectators. Just as she said, why don’t we learn to be positive, and share the positive, instead of acting like a school of sharks in a feeding frenzy?

I know that many of you feel the same way, because you have told me. Looking out at those who were at Camp Langston RV Park last week, or those who celebrated the holiday in New Boston on Sunday, one could get the idea that we all do better when we are working together to have a good time.

I believe most of us long for the days gone by where people just helped people, because help was needed. Like an old-fashioned barn raising, or the aftermath of a family tragedy. We here in Northeast Texas still do a lot of those things.

When somebody’s house burns down, or there is a death in the community, we rally to support those in need.

And yes, there are biblical principles involved here. If you know your Bible you know the verses about the idea.

The book of James says, “What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith, but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you tells him, “Go in peace; stay warm and well fed,” but does not provide for his physical needs, what good is that?”

I don’t know about you, but that could just as easily read, when you mow your yard, mow your neighbor’s if they need help, or if you see a person with a lot of trash in their yard and you know they can’t pick it up, go pick it up for them.

I am more than a little tired of seeing people that proport themselves to be Christians, not acting like one. My Bible also says a lot about forgiveness. It tells us over and over what we are to do if we have ought with someone. Let’s give that a try as well.

All of the 4th of July celebrations around these parts show me that we have a lot of good things going on here, and I look forward to learning about every single one in Mt. Pleasant, Pittsburg and Daingerfield, and all of the surrounding area. We have a lot to be thankful for these days, despite what folks may say. The sky is not falling, all is not lost, and the possibility for change is there.

We just have to be willing to grab it and move forward.

I attended a Memorial Day service a couple of years ago. I cannot adequately describe what a privilege it was to stand amongst those who gave huge chunks of their lives to protect the freedoms that we celebrated this past week. It was a somber event, as we paid tribute to those who gave the ultimate sacrifice, and to those MIA’s and POW’s who never came home.

As my friend, District Court Judge John Tidwell, told of how he lost a great friend, I looked around at those gathered and wondered how many friends had they lost. I wondered what they saw, what they endured, the painful memories they must have still today.

Yet they choose to be positive, continue serving, and continue to honor the red, white and blue.

There is a lesson there for all of us.