Stand By Your Man

Why did the chicken cross the road? To stand with the victor of the cross, of course.

When you're chicken because of being victimized by someone or something that you can't forgive, cross the road. When you're chicken because of being misunderstood, misinformed or just ignored all the time, cross the road. And, when you're chicken because of being abandoned or neglected by those you should be able to trust, cross the road and stand with the man.

The lukewarm person wavers in the middle of the road. The moderate candidate straddles the fence. The mealy-mouthed speaks without conviction or decision. Too often, not deciding is deciding, not speaking up is saying and not doing is doing nothing that could change a situation for the better.

But sometimes you can't change the situation or make things better by anything you would think, say or do. At those times, cross the road and stand by your man. The one who doesn't ask you to do or be what you can't at the time. The one who accepts your need to be supported in your weakness, rather than pressured to be ideal. The one who doesn't play chicken with your feelings and dreams, but honors your story as much as his own.

Unlike St. Augustine's city entitled "contra pagonas", as if "of God" should be likewise "against pagans", the roads are many and varied. So some reminders concerning crossing the road: First, cross with the Light and not against it; second, look both ways before crossing; third, trust that it's important to walk the walkway; fourth, confidence comes with commitment.

Then, move forward to where you want to be, not necessarily where you yourself can be at the moment. Stand with and by the man who redeems the choice and effort to cross the road when you're chicken.