I get the newspaper delivered every day. One day, about 6 months ago, a very polite freshman high school boy came to my door and was selling the subscription for something that I deemed very important at the time and the first time “Yes, ma’am” came out of his mouth in answer to a question, I was sold. Polite kids with a cause get me every time. I also bought 3 bags of of M&M’s at the Bucs game last week from another cute kid raising funds to feed the homeless through his church. Doubtful, I asked him the name of the church. He knew it. I bought it. That’s how I roll.
But, anyway, the newspaper…the problem is that I have purchased but don’t read the newspaper. More often than not it goes from my driveway to my recycling bin, unwrapped and unread. I know there are coupons I could be using in there but who has the time to cut them out? I know there are world events I should be catching up on but who wants to take the time to read what can be ingested audibly on the radio or tv while mindlessly doing something else?
So yesterday, before church, I decided to take 30 minutes to browse through my Sunday paper. The front page was splattered with a south Tampa socialite wannabe who has found herself involved in an ugly text/email investigation fueled by high profile military top brass and their infidelities. Wow. Glad I didn’t miss seeing another photo of her! Flipping to another section, I sadly read the article of a lunatic who came out of his house and shot his neighbor’s 3 dogs. Did I mention this happened in a gated community (I know~ shocking!) and the dogs were puppies?
Needless to say, I put the paper to the side and am just now getting to the coupons. The rest is getting pitched in the bin. This is what I miss by skipping the morning paper and the evening news? Call me ignorant, then. I just don’t think a steady diet of immoral, shocking, journalistic-slanted, depressing news is what I need.
I know there are horrific atrocities happening in the world; famine and trafficking to
name a couple. I do my best to support organizations that are working diligently to make a change so it’s not like my head is buried in the sand but am I really supposed to begin my day reading about arrests, escaped convicts, neglected senior citizens, sky rocketing unemployment and the plummeting Dow?
I don’t know, friends. As nerdy and as religious as it sounds, I think I just need to stick to reading encouragement.. the bible isn’t the only place I can find that encouragement but it’s on the top of my list. I mean, it’s not called The Good News for nothing! 🙂 I just know that when my day starts with Joyce Meyer on tv or a good message written by Francis Chan or a chapter written by Priscilla Shirer, I just feel more equipped to make a difference in my life and in the life of others.
Vehemently agree or disagree?
Be blessed.
Amy
Amy, I couldn’t agree more! I have turned on the news when I get up in the morning and in the evening around dinner time almost all of my life to “know what’s going on”. There is a lot of stuff going on today that maybe is not news that needs to be in a news report.
I agree Amy! Many years ago I had decided I would only check the weather and the basics on t.v. Nothing like a cup of coffee and Joyce Meyers in the a.m. and some Good News! It is my preferred diet!