Be careful ...you never know for sure what you'll find in the grass!!

Hint: This is not a kangaroo preparing to jump.

You've heard the saying, "The grass is always greener ...", well, it depends on what side of the fence the fertilizer is on.

My friend Don S., said he explained to his own children that all sin is the same to God.

Do we really believe that?  We certainly would view certain sins as being 'worse'.  We'd much rather our children 'covet' something, yet practice abstention, than to steal ...and it would certainly be more severe to kill and steal.

Let's view it, as Don S. said, comparing sin to dog poop.

As Don put it, if we set down our soft drink, and a dog poops in it ...we wouldn't want the soft drink anymore.

We wouldn't exactly meter out the amount of dog poop that fell into the drink ...we wouldn't want the drink if it was a lot, nor would we want it if it was just a tiny bit.

I'm not asking anyone to make "keep off the grass" their mantra ...nor am I trying to give you the latest 'scoop'.  We do need to concentrate on what is important, but if the concentration of poop is too strong, the grass may burn.

Yet, with a good rain, the grass may turn green.

(Just corresponded with my friend, Don ...and he said his story used bird poop, not dog.  In tall grass, I like boots on the ground ...but, it's harder to defend against an aerial assault.  He said my story had the right sentiment, though my sediment was slightly off.)

It is true that when we accept Jesus, He washes our sins away.

Jesus is the 'living water', and though we can't disregard the sin in our life, we can repent of it, and let Him give us new life.

Though sin is wrong, the result of it is not always bad.  God will work to use certain moments in our life to strengthen us and build character.  It can act as fertilizer, and stimulate growth if we own up to what we do, and move on ...that is, if we don't abandon the responsibility for the wrong that we do.

If we break the neighbor's window, we own up to it ...and we take responsibility by volunteering to pay for it.  We learn responsibility.  Therefore, the result of breaking the window can be looked at as a good thing ...though I wouldn't tell the neighbor that.

Other wrongdoings are a result of unwise, careless, or ignorant decisions.  Sometimes we feel the 'odds' are not going to affect us, when the 'odds' are not good at all.  Some things are worth taking a chance on.  We may plan a picnic, and chance that it won't rain ...and there is little consequence if we get a little wet.

But, I would never gamble on things ...such as playing 'craps'. (Yes, the pun was intended.)  And it can be outright consequential to gamble on driving without a seat belt, leaving a baby in a car unintended for 'just a few minutes', or simply succumbing to peer pressure with claims of just trying drugs.

Some things can be very rewarding if properly prepared for ...and if the full responsibility involved is understood.  Owning a pet can be a joy ...yet, you must have a mature enough character to be able to appreciate the pet, without having that joy depreciated by the tasks of cleaning up poop, among other things. And when your parent gets old, we are all familiar with nursing home options ...though in my grandparent's time, it was not that way. With a pet that decision of what to do about declining health and complications are often faced much sooner ...and the choices often include options I would not like to consider.

Yes, some situations need immediate attention ...not immediate avoidance.  And we often get confused with how we should view things.

 'Penalty' or 'punishment' does not always mean a consequence of bad or wrongful action ...as in neighborhoods where thugs, crime, and drugs seems to rule, penalties are often enforced upon those who don't comply with the 'gang'. There are governments that also do this ...and we have been blessed with having this minimally done. Only God is always 'just' ...and the penalty for sin is death, yet He sent His Son to overcome that death and give us new life.

I can't help recall how our leaders of government have portrayed an unwanted pregnancy as facing being "punished with a baby".  Rape is a terrible thing, but it is a violent act of terror ...not a punishment.  And most cases of unwanted pregnancies are not the actual feelings of countless rape victims.  It may be difficult to believe, but stats bear it out that victims of violent rape often cling to their baby, committed to not allow any further violence.  But, while many Moms also birth very mature and responsible responses to difficult situations ...stats can be manipulated & politicized to satisfy & justify the many unwanted pregnancies that are not the result of rape.

It is mostly those individuals who make unwise, careless, and irresponsible or ignorant decisions who often view it as entrapment ...after an abandonment of loyalties.  I applaud those Moms who realize their loyalty to the innocent and defenseless child that is a part of them, considering the baby within them as a part of them & a blessing ...and committed to be a blessing to their child.  

Violence met with violence is called war.  That's why people say the 'war against abortion', because the war has begun with it. Those who mostly fight the war against it, try to compassionately enlighten the mostly troubled youth...who need to know they are carrying a blessing ...not a burden.  And they need to know the abortion itself claims victory, not for the Mom ...but for the proponents of such violence.

Yes, most of the cases of pregnancy came about by choice, and I would advise those to choose to first get married ...in an attempt to solidify a loyal commitment.  If the commitment does not stand, then remain committed to your child.  Don't meet violence with violence, and abandonment with abandonment.

 If the dog poops in your drink, it may be out of ignorance.  But, some of the things we often do, and have become as a society ...are worse than pooping in someone's drink.

Yet, the Apostle Paul considered himself the 'chief among sinners' ...and look at what great things God had planned for him.  We need to see things differently, and clearly.  Paul was made to not see at all ...so he could hear.  Then his vision was restored, so he could share the vision with the rest of us.

And yes, Paul realized he was forgiven too. Jesus gave him all the understanding he needed, so he wouldn't blindly go in the wrong direction.