Mrs. Kravitz – an iconic TV character from the TV show “Bewitched” – was a frequent nickname given to my college roommate’s boyfriend (now husband).  Tim* was constantly spying on others, just like the fictional Gladys Kravitz.  While my roommate Patricia* and I were sprawled out on our twin beds studying or talking late into the night, Tim would often be crouching in our closet because he claimed to be able to hear everything going on in our neighboring roommate’s quarters.  I can’t count the number of times Tim would be sitting across from me in a restaurant booth and I would notice, in the middle of telling a riveting story, that he had no idea what I was saying.  He was concentrating on everything being said in the booth behind us.  He loved to go places just to people- watch, and when I took over his apartment lease when he and Patricia got married, he called me into the kitchen to show me that if I stood on my tiptoes at the corner of the window, I could see straight into the downstairs apartment across the parking lot.

Tim had an unquenchable curiosity about life.  If you take away the sugar coating, that means he was nosy.  I can’t, though, pretend to be completely innocent in his shenanigans.  He often wove an interesting yarn with the info he procured, and I relished the tales.

I had the privilege of spending time with my old friends over the holidays, and reminiscing brought Tim’s prying eyes and ears into focus.  Well first, I had a really good giggle about it all since we are WAY too mature and sophisticated for any of that business NOW.  But just the same, I’m glad there are no flies on the wall when I hang out with them.  What I realized, though, is that I want to be a Mrs. Kravitz.  I want to take the intense curiosity Tim applied to spying on neighbors and strangers and apply it to my study of Jesus Christ – with one major difference.  Whereas Tim snooped simply to satisfy his own inquisitiveness about people, I am seeking more than knowledge of Jesus.  I want to know Him better so that I can be more like Him.  “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.”  2 Corinthians 3:18 NASB  AS IN A MIRROR!  That is how transformed I want to be.

I want to talk to Him and listen to Him more intently.  Only then will I sound more like Him.  I want to spend more time reading His word.  Only then will my words be His.  I want to observe Him through His deeds and the testimony of others.  Only then will I be able to quickly recognize Him.  AS IN A MIRROR!  Oh Lord, may it be so.

*All names changed to protect the not-so-innocent

Inclusion – the educational approach wherein students with special needs spend time with non-disabled students – was not a thing when I was in school.  There were a handful of kids like my daughter Shelby at my elementary school, but they were kept completely separated.  I would occasionally see them across campus, moving in a group from place to place, but I never interacted with them.  And even though my school was small, I didn’t know most of their names.  What wasted opportunities.

I grew up uncomfortable, even afraid, around people who were different than me.  I had to be forced to spend time with a relative who was seriously injured in a motorcycle wreck.  He loved people, but he was awkward and difficult to understand, so I didn’t want to be around him.  It is embarrassing and painful to admit that, now that I have a child who is awkward and difficult to understand.

With the U.S. Individuals with Disabilities Act came laws about LRE or least restrictive environment.  This means that a student who has a disability (physical, mental or both) should have the opportunity to be educated with non-disabled peers, to the greatest extent appropriate.  In Shelby’s case, she gets to go to regular art and P.E. classes with the assistance of peer buddies.  She gets to go to pep rallies and eat in the cafeteria with everyone else.

I’m sure there are many reasons why this type of inclusion is beneficial for the special needs student, but I have come to believe that it’s even more beneficial for typically developing students.  The Best Buddies organization is raising up a generation of kids who look for the blessing behind the disability.  Students today have had classmates with special needs around them as long as they have been in school.  It’s all they know.  Where I was nervous and timid around the differently-abled, these teens jump at the chance to take my daughter to a dance, party or sporting event.  Shelby calls them her “friends” and I truly believe that’s what they are.  Caring for someone as impacted as Shelby takes a level of maturity and unselfishness that I certainly didn’t possess at that age.  I see it in Shelby’s younger sister.  She deals with a special needs sibling at home, and yet chooses to volunteer with the special education class at her middle school.

I am so thankful for the changes in our educational system and the programs that teach our youth that ALL people have value, regardless of ability.

Based on the response to my last post (found here if you would like to read it) and that I own two eyes and two ears – it is obvious that a lot of people have a lot of BIG feelings about how our nation voted on Tuesday.  We are a few days past the 2016 election, and some of you are pleased and satisfied with the results.  I love you, I support you, congratulations.  But this post is not for you – unless you would like to hear what I have to say about how to be tender and loving to those who believe differently than you.  In that case, I hope you will read on.

Dear Disappointed American,
I am heartbroken for you.  As a white, heterosexual member of the middle class, I won’t pretend that I can sympathize.  I don’t even think I can completely understand.  My heartbreak happened months ago upon realizing that these two candidates would, indeed, be our only real options.  I am, frankly, somewhat embarrassed of our choice, but I am not afraid.  I want you to hear me say that I hear you when you say that you are.

I admit that I don’t really know how to reach out to you, save this letter.  And I honestly don’t know if it will encourage you or make you feel more pain (please know this is the farthest thing from my intention), but I could no longer sit silent while you cry out.  I had to at least let you know that I care.  I see and hear that some are mocking your unhappiness.  I want you to know that I won’t do that.  That there are many people, even though not exactly like you, who won’t do that.  And I would encourage those who are gloating and mocking to remember that there are always people, REAL PEOPLE affected by policy.  Author Lysa TerKeurst expressed this better than I ever could:  “But it is a rare and beautiful thing when we choose to offer love in situations when most people would choose to scorn or ignore.”

I hear what is being said about the “Christians” and the “religious right” that “got Trump elected”.   I can’t bear the thought of being associated with any of the horrible things that are being said about Trump followers just because I’m a Christian.  In the grand scheme of things, it really doesn’t matter what you think of me, but it matters SO MUCH what you think of Jesus because of me.   Please know that not all Christians vote Republican.  Neither political party is mentioned in the Bible so I’m pretty sure neither one can claim Jesus as a mascot!  And the so-called “right” is an invention of politics, not religion.   I know that can’t possibly alleviate the fears you have about how your life might be changed in the days to come.  I wish I could promise you that wisdom will always prevail.  That could never be anything more than an empty promise when flawed people are in charge.  The only thing I can offer you is the truth that you are infinitely loved by the all-powerful Creator of the universe.  You matter to Him and He is for you.  I hope that this brings you some measure of peace.  That you would come to know the truth and depth of His love for you is my greatest prayer in these uncertain times.

“In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.  Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”  1 John 4:10-11