NMB Therapeutics

For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmitird; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace; that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need. Hebrews 4:15-16

For He hath made Him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin: that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him. 2 Corinthians 5:21

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on Me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father. John 14:12

He didn't have to do it
Didn't have to leave His throne
Didn't have to set aside His crown
To make our flesh His own

Didn't have to live in poverty
Obscure to all He knew
A carpenter from Nazareth
Where joyous times were few

Nor did He have to lead a band
Of common fishermen
And tax collecting auditor
To share His part with men

Who did not know His sovereignty
Nor glory up above
Nor comprehend His sacrifice
To show the world God's love

But He Who did create us
From but just a lump of clay
Breathed His own breath within us
On the sixth creation day

Did make the choice before us
That when sin would take our soul
To set aside His deity
To make the broken whole

And here to suffer horribly
Rejection that was ours
To show that mercy love and grace
Have even greater powers

To do the work that He has done
To share His love for men
And shine the light of Truth to those
Who still are lost in sin

If you disagree with me, that's fine. Disagree with my votes. Disagree with my policies. Disagree with my opinions. That is part of a representative republic, and I signed up for that.

What I did not sign up for was having my character assassinated every time someone doesn't like a decision I make.

Somewhere along the way, we decided that disagreeing with someone meant we had the right to invent motives, spread lies, question integrity, and destroy reputations. It doesn't.

You don't know my heart. You don't know my intentions. You don't know the conversations I have behind the scenes or the work that goes into every decision I make. Yet some people have no problem accusing me of corruption, dishonesty, or worse, without one shred of evidence.

Those words don't just affect me.

My husband reads them.

My children read them.

My parents read them.

My family has to watch complete strangers make up stories about someone they love, simply because they don't agree with one vote or one issue.

I don't do that to you.

I don't publicly attack your character because we disagree. I don't write hateful posts about you for your spouse, your children, your parents, or your pastor to read. I don't try to destroy your reputation because I think you're wrong.

Why has that become acceptable when it's directed at public servants?

The truth is, every single one of us has people who disagree with us. Every one of us has made decisions others didn't like. None of us is perfect.

But somewhere we've lost basic human decency.

People have become comfortable being cruel. Comfortable lying. Comfortable making up stories that fit the narrative they want to believe. Comfortable saying things online that they would never have the courage to say sitting across a table from someone.

And then they act shocked when that person defends themselves.

People often ask why good people don't run for office anymore.

Look around.

The answer is right in front of you.

Who wants to volunteer themselves and their family to be called every name imaginable? Who wants their children to read lies about their parent? Who wants complete strangers criticizing their appearance, their weight, their hair, their family, and their character because they cast a vote someone didn't like?

If you think it wouldn't happen to you, you're fooling yourself.

It would.

People would hate you without knowing you.

People would assign motives you've never had.

People would spread lies as though they were facts.

People would try to convince others that you're a terrible human being.

And many of the loudest voices online would never have the courage to walk into your office, look you in the eye, and repeat the very same things they type from behind a keyboard.

Am I angry?

Yes.

Am I hurt?

Absolutely.

I'm fortunate that life has given me a thick skin and enough confidence not to let anonymous opinions define who I am. But I also know there are people who would not survive this kind of constant abuse. There are people who would believe what is said about them. There are people who would curl up in a fetal position wondering if maybe they really are as awful as strangers say they are.

Words matter.

They always have.

And before someone rushes to prove my point by commenting that I'm a terrible person, corrupt, bought and paid for, or deserving of whatever abuse comes my way, ask yourself one question:

Would you walk into my office, sit across from me, look me in the eyes, and say those exact same words?

If the answer is no, maybe they shouldn't be said at all.

I will continue serving. I will continue standing for what I believe is right. I will continue listening to people who disagree with me respectfully.

But I refuse to accept the idea that character assassination is just "part of politics."

It shouldn't be.

We can disagree without destroying each other.

We owe each other at least that much.

The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want. He maketh me to lie down in green pastures; He leadeth me beside the still waters. He restoreth my soul: He leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for His name's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil? For Thou art with me; Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies; Thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever. Psalm 23:1-6

Though many be the challenges
We're made to face today
A multitude of promises
Are shared for those who pray

And focus on the scriptures
Where the Truth of God is found
The solid Rock of Ages
Word of life and holy ground

Where all who look may find Him
Who redeems us with His blood
Who walks upon the water
Stills the wind and mighty flood

That seems to overwhelm us
When our hold on Him is weak
And from the world around us
Is where help we often seek

But nothing can be further
From the Way God's child should live
To Whom without condition
We must want and choose to give

Our all in close communion
As He's told us we must do
With promise He will always
Give us grace to see us through

Not just for us but others
Who will see our walk with Him
And feel the weight of evil
And the hollowness in them

And find through us God's message
Of what He would have us be
Those chosen for this purpose
To be His eternally

And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Ephesians 5:2

And one shall say unto Him, What are these would in thine hands? Then He shall answer, Those with which I was wounded in the house of my friends. Zechariah 13:6

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16

If only for a moment
We could see what God goes through
Could feel the pain He suffers
From the hurtful things we do

Would living be as easy
Knowing all that we have done
That tore apart all heaven
To remove the Father's Son

From off His throne in glory
As demanding He must do
For love to show its power
Through the agony He knew

When in that separation
As He hung upon the cross
He poured Himself like water
Through His blood to save the lost

Yes if we could see Jesus
Like the angels up above
Our God become a Baby
That great Sacrifice of love

Who took the stones and arrows
For the saving of mankind
And willingly departed
From that part He left behind

To join with us forever
As humanity will be
A part of Him forever
Throughout all eternity

And He alone will bear that
Which no other one can do
The scars for our Redemption
Born of love to make us new