I am, for the most part, a people person. I like to talk to people and I end up with lots of spontaneous conversations in shopping lines, parking lots, the beach and pretty much anywhere. It is surprising how quickly people confide in you when you listen and ask a few questions, I like the people in our church family. I am closer to some but I enjoy talking to all of them. I admit there have been times when there have been those who have turned away and even tried to discredit me, my ministry and even my family. However, that has not quenched the joy I receive from talking and listening.
That being said, the forced separation required by power consumed politicians has been very wearing upon me. It has been draining physically (months with no time at the gym), emotionally (seeing people I care about given to fear), spiritually (being denied worship and fellowship with other believers), and mentally (interaction and the sharing of ideas stimulates one's brain). Thus, my life has been drained of significant vitality. And the governmental edicts continue even as deaths and hospitalizations become rare.Each time a milestone is reached the government and governor find new reasons to continue the power play and fear mongering. Threats have been added to insure compliance to the message of fear.
When these things happen, isolation and time to let my brain play with itself, a random strain of sarcastic creativity begins to ferment. I usually do not write much that is overtly political. I do fear the destruction of the country I love and the freedoms I have enjoyed by the growing socialist movement that has consumed the Democrat party. We have come a long way from President Kennedy challenging all Americans to, "Ask not what your country can do for you, but, what you can do for your country." Now the party says, "Give us power and give up your freedom and government will take care of you". For many, the promise of freedom from responsibility at the cost of personal freedom is all too inviting. A country filled with the equally poor ruled in perpetuity by the powerful elite is not the freedom I desire.
My being always seeks an avenue to release the frustration my body absorbs over time. When I was younger I ran distance to burn off and release the tension. My knees can not endure running any more so I have adjusted to the elliptical machine to release the needed endorphins. However, I cannot do that with the required mask as it stirs up my allergic asthma and leaves me gasping and light headed. As an alternative my brain finds new ways to achieve the needed release. So I ponder, imagine, my mind gets weirdly creative and the sarcastic parody gene kicks in. I have ruined many a song for my children when this has occurred in the past. I have hesitated to publish this, as it is a parody of scripture and that may cross the line of my personal sensibilities. However, I can excuse the behavior due to the stress this quarantine has placed upon my system. I can say, without hesitation, that I pray for governing officials. 1 Timothy 2:1-2 gives me that direction. I do not dislike my Governor, however, there is little he does that I agree with, support, or accept. Much of what he does violates God's Word and qualifies, Biblically, as evil. So I pray that the Lord will reveal Himself in such a powerful way that the governor will experience the personal revival only the Spirit of God can bring.
All that being said, and with my apologies to the Psalmist David and the Lord who inspired the original, I give you this parody.
A Psalm of Albany (The Twenty-Third)
Cuomo is a shepherd I do not want.
He tells me, “Lie down and be silent”.
He leads me beside still restaurants,
He sucks life from my soul.
He leads us down paths of unrighteousness,
For his own sake.
Yea, he puts old folks in homes,
Overshadowed by death,
They die alone.
This is evil.
His rules and his edicts,
They oppress me.
He takes the food from my table
To give to my enemies
He taxes my house and my oil
My cup’s full of holes.
Surely no goodness or mercy
Shall come from his life
And I will dwell with a mask on, forever
