The Adventures of the Johnson Clan: A Riotious Covid Summer

The Year of 2020:

The time in which there was nothing and everything goin on

Funny how we think the world has to work in such extremes. The day was either wonderful, or it wasn't a good one' we're either healthy or we're not; happy or sad; hot or cold; extrinsic vs. intrinsic; busy or bored... Politically right sided, or left.

It's amazing to me this year of 2020 has given literal demonstration of these extremes. We've gone from living completely busy lives to stripping life down to its basics. We've gone from being completely tired of talking/stressing over covid to almost wishing it was the main topic again... well at least in my neck of the woods. Because at least when covid was the headline we knew what to do: prepare, and hunker down. And there were a lot of blessings that came along with the covid trial: family's were together. Pet adoption raised by 300%. The yards in our neighborhood have never looked better, etc. Please don't think I'm trying to brush over all the awful parts that have arisen from covid (or the reaction to covid), but I'm just CHOOSING to focus on the good parts of a situation I can't control.

And when we didn't think we could handle anymore discussion on the elusive disease: cue the riots. Riot season is upon us and I now actually miss our previous news topic because at least with that topic there WERE blessings to focus on in a situation I can't control. This rioting and looting just has no benefits. I understand there is anger, both for the original death, the overall issue, and then I think just everyone's pent up aggression and fear from being quarantined is coming out; however; how is it possibly okay/supported/funded to tear down our society, spread more fear/panic/anger, and injure/kill others for any reason, ever?

There is a scene at the end of the Knowing, possibly the worst Nicholas Cage movie in existence (which is saying something because... well, has Nicholas Cage been in very many good movies to being with?!) where Cage is in his car and the city around him is on fire. The buildings are burning down and people are rioting and looting in the streets. The whole movie he'd fought against the revelation that the world is going to come to an end, but in the end the prophecy is unavoidable and everything he'd been told came true. Nicholas Cage comes to the realization that civilization is beyond saving, so he sends his son off with Aliens (don't you just want to see this movie now? lol) and makes peace with his situation. Again, I really disliked this movie, BUT did I ever think I'd reflect on that scene ever again, let alone a decade later?! I see that scene and I read the news... and then I study my scriptures... and then I just shake my head.

I can't send my children away with magical aliens, but I can do my best to teach them, love them, prepare them for where the world is headed; then at least I'll have peace in knowing I did my part. Michael Jackson said we need to start with the man in the mirror. Martin Luther King Junior and King Benjamin (B.O.M) believed in causing real change through words and conviction. I tell my children everyday that I cannot force them to make the right choices in this life, all I can do is provide them with all the knowledge they need to WANT to choose right. I believe this is the same in our current situations. During COVID I couldn't change anyone's minds on how to proceed forward, but I could be an example of what I believed. During these riots, I cannot hop on facebook and blast my opinion (because remember, everyone is just shouting opinions on there) and expect people to change their minds to agree with me. But I can live my convictions. And the old saying, "agree to disagree..." what happened to that?

America is pretty divided 50-50 in two very different political extremes. And unless we learn to find balance, compromise, sacrafice, and essentially "agree to disagree" when necessary then we aren't going to "united" much longer.

And this is a universal truth in any situation we're facing. But it has to go two ways. And the focus has to be around the greater good. And in my home, that great good is Jesus Christ.

And ps. I HAVE to say this because I've choked it down each time it comes up on facebook BUT.... Jesus Christ was NOT the Ultimate rioter. He did NOT go into the temple and flip tables and kick out the sinners in ANY similar way to what is going on with the current rioting. Jesus did NOT go out into his community and burn down businesses. He didn't lay a finger on his fellow man intending to harm them. He didn't force his opinion on those around him. He went into his own home; his private property and found those who were sinning against his own house rules. And they didn't leave. He chose that moment to use a large action to get them to leave his own home. He flipped his OWN table.... in his OWN HOME.

There is no similarity and He would NEVER condone, support, or justify this rioting; no matter the cause. You know what he would do/does? He comforts those who are suffering. He gives patients to those stuck in terrible situations. He forgives and understands the cause of such anger. He LOVES no matter how we turn our back on him. And he ultimately DIED for our salvation.