Releasing the Hate

I woke up this morning trying to identify something in my life that has real controversy attached to it.  How might I start this day differently and change myself and my enemy for the better?  Immediately my mind went to football. 

"I've decided not to pull against Auburn", I declared to my dear friend (Auburn grad) in a text this morning.  That may seem like small potatoes to some, but in this state loyalty to your school is everything.  You are either Auburn or Alabama and there is no in between.  Some were raised to be hater's (that's me!) and a handful of others actually marry between schools.  An oddity in my family for sure.  No such mixed marriages allowed at our house, and it's known around these parts as a "house divided".  "I knew the grinch's heart could grow...what changed you?", she wrote back from her house divided.  "I am making some changes. That's all I can say right now.  This is only day two," I typed.   

When I really give it some careful thought, we wouldn't be dealing with this anyway if it weren't for Cam Newton.  How in the world did Auburn manage to follow up our dream national championship/heisman trophy year with their own bid for the national championship and a heisman trophy winner.  Blah.  Anyway, here we are and its heavy on my heart on this day.  I can only give the credit to God because he brought me to a place in John 15 that opened my heart last night.

I am not Bible literate which is a problem for most Episcopalians.  I bought a bible for my husband several Christmas' ago so we have one in the house.  I'm always so envious of people who have ear marks and notes in the margin.  I just haven't managed to get there yet.  Last night, I followed a passage I read in 'same kind of different is me'..."Greater love has no man than this, that he lay down his life for his friends."  I googled it and traced it back to John 15:13.  I read the entire chapter and used a highlighter (so now we notations in our bible).  The chapter is about Jesus teaching his disciples about the vine and the branches.  The verse became more pertinent when I added 15:12 which read "My command is this:  Love each other as I have loved you."  And then in verse 17 he says it again, "This is my command:  Love each other."  There is not a footnote that says unless he is an Auburn fan.  Jesus means to love all people and that's what I am on a journey to do. 

In verse 11 he tells us why, and its such good news..."I have told you this so my joy may be in you and that your joy may be complete."  Amen! ROLL TIDE and war eagle.

Happy Day,

LizzieB

Pictured:  Cousins divided.  Iron Bowl 2010, Tuscaloosa.