Over the last few years, I’ve had people besmirching my reputation and my faith because I’ve defended police (all cops are not bastards), prayed for the President after an assassination attempt, or said national guard troops were not appropriate for a police issue, or argued that anyone deported or arrested should always be treated with respect. I even had someone claim that I likely would burn my VMI diploma because I suggested slavery was the cause for the Civil War and the southern memorial statue (clearly propaganda) should not be returned to Arlington Cemetery. (They said I was an embarrassment to VMI.)
There are other examples, but basically, I always try to speak the truth as I see it and repent if proved wrong. This song by my friends Nick Henretty and Sarah Henretty has been helpful in helping my yes mean yes and my no mean no, as Jesus said and I’ve quoted much of late. (It’s true that my VMI experience helped me here too.) Yet, it also holds true when people who should have been more transparent with you aren’t and recognized your love for them but don’t.
God is my defender. I know God is near in my distress. I don’t have to fear. I don’t have to strike back. I can choose to do good to the best of my ability even amidst great sadness, gossip, threats, or lies. I invite you to listen. For God defends you too when you trust in him. Do and say what’s right, as best as you can discern it, no matter the opposition or how people might let you down or oppose you. God will help us stand – forever.
© 2025 The Rev. Louis Florio. All content not held under another’s copyright may not be used without permission of the author. Scripture passages are from the NRSVue translation.
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