Hot Topic Tuesday... So yeah, about that...

So, after much consideration, I am somewhat sorry to say that I am stopping Hot Topic Tuesday.

This decision has kind of been brewing for a while, probably for the past two months or so I've been talking about it with Nick, But really, I like it. And it's definitely the most popular part of my blog lately, but I kept feeling like maybe it's not accomplishing what I had hoped. And that has been kind of confirmed to me over and over. This is not because of you guys-- for the most part, you all played nice.

The problem is that I don't like how this has made me look at some of the issues we've discussed. Instead of helping me to see different sides of a controversial issue, it's really awakened in me an argumentative spirit that makes me feel like stubbornly digging in my heels to hold my ground. The truth is, it doesn't matter what our views are, we can always find some "expert" to back us up, some research to back us up... whatever.

But what these hard stances do is separate. They don't cause us to all come together unified and sing Kumbaya. They make us resent people who have different opinions than we do. They make us question someone else's character or parenting or whatever! And that drives wedges in relationships. And who wants that?

I am not claiming that these conversations couldn't or shouldn't happen. I am not saying you shouldn't host them on your blogs if you wish... But I am learning about myself, that because I struggle with stubbornness, this is not a good role for me.

This morning when I read this in Matthew 5, it became unmistakable for me: "You're blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That's when you discover who you really are, and your place in God's family." (The Message)

So kind of funny twist to all of this--
I had made that decision this morning. I was firmly planted in the fact that Hot Topic Tuesday had run its course with me and then THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL parenting topic played a big role in my life today. I got news of something happening within a community we're invested in (NO, NOT HCH or Crosspointe!) and it rocked my world. It made me mad and sad and full of judgment. This is a topic that I REALLY feel passionately about-- much more so than anything we've discussed for a previous HTT. I never brought it up because it is too controversial and it's hard for me to even think of being polite.

So I get this news. And it sucks. And I am mad. And I want to tell everyone how mad I am and how mad they should be...

And then I remember my quiet time with God. All that jazz about not competing or fighting... And it comes into focus what I must do.

I just need to let it go.

*lets go.*

There. Gone. Ladies and er, ladies... you just witnessed growth in the life of me, Gwenn Mangine.

PS- Don't ask me what the topic was, because I am not going to tell you. Not even you mom. Or Gretchen.