Color my Wits . . . Craz’d
If I were painting, my palette would be messy. Grief is a hard subject.
But, I am writing. Finding words is harder when one’s wits are knotted by the times, and tears.

Good Advice, eh? From the Garden of Bright Images
Other people’s words describe the swirl of emotions that are washing around and through me.
Especially Shakespeare’s words — in one of the worst plays old people should read:
…True to tell thee,
The grief hath craz’d my wits…
~William Shakespeare, King Lear, c.1605 [III, 4, Earl of Gloucester]
Grief has been doing a number on me recently— another reason for choosing my words carefully —anger, grief and fear rarely edify.

Can you read the writing?
And what grieves me is how easily conversations and connections [still] break with words spoken or written carelessly.
. . . I’ve come to realize that when I treated others unfairly, it was because I was filled with self-centered fear —afraid I would lose something I had, or not get something I wanted. That fear, in turn, triggered my outbursts of anger, jealousy, impatience, and intolerance . . .
A hurtful act is the transference to others of the degradation which we bear in ourselves. — (Simone Weil, A New Day, page 93)
From the Pulpit
Therefore a recent word from the pulpit was timely, reminding me to be especially careful choosing words.
The wise woman builds her house,
But the foolish tears it down with her own hands. . . (Proverbs 14:1-7)
So, too the Psalmist warns me to watch out for what soapbox I choose.
Lord, my heart is not proud, nor my eyes arrogant;
Nor do I [a]involve myself in great matters,
Or in things too [b]difficult for me. . .
Today’s SOAPBOX
Our weaponized culture worries me.
Since Columbine — no — since the University of Texas shooting in 1966 — we have prayed, and produced more weapons. Because of yet anther shooting, grief washes in and over . . . I don’t understand why Americans —some Christians—still insist on their right to own assault weapons.
Ours is a weaponized culture — both with firearms and wounding words.
And I have no idea how to help “disarm” our culture, save by words; save by prayer:
For the faithful believer, prayer isn’t a substitute for action; it’s a prerequisite for action. It grounds us before we move to serve others. It grounds us before we speak in the public square. David French
I pray God does equip Christians to speak in the public square — so that those who listen — legislators and judges and citizens — will choose LIFE.
“Be not angry that you cannot make others as you wish them to be, since you cannot make yourself as you wish to be.”― Thomas à Kempis, The Imitation of Christ

Hope Does Not Disappoint (Romas 5:5)
Thank you for sharing your heart and great wisdom from Him who is our only hope.
Thank you for reading dear one.
Thoughtful, provoking quotes here from the Bard, Weil, Scripture, and French.
Even heavy hearts must wrestle!
The Bard truly has seasoned sense about our heartaches and joys.
You’ve said it well
🙂
SO good to “see” you.
Lifting our people, our nation and our world up to God. Thought provoking and heartbreaking reflections. Thank you Barbara for reminding me that living and grieving is sacred ground. 🙏♥️
Amen, sweet friend.
I am right there with you, Barb❤️
Every night on the local news– Baltimore and Washington– multiple shootings, many killings, mostly guns, and so many grief-stricken families. . . unbelievable.