Whitney Houston and the Greatest Love of All

It took only minutes after learning of her passing that I heard, “No grief for a dope”; “Whitney Houston, who?”; “She deserved it”; “She wanted it”; “Serves her right!”  WOW - Our culture has become so insensitive.   Am I the ONLY person who perceives this way of thinking as severely MESSED UP? 

WGH and I listened to a news report Monday morning that said, “Whitney was found dead in the bathtub – and there were prescription pills found nearby.”   I’m so thankful that my sweet husband is picking up on my unique way of “processing information.”  As I was thinking it, he said it:  “Wow, Tawnda – if you died in our bathtub, the media could say that prescription pills were found nearby.”  EXACTLY!  And should the truth be known, I have a small pharmaceutical company in the master bathroom, all legitimate – all necessary for: various ailments; chronic illnesses; allergies; surgical recovery; and fighting infection.  It’s quite likely I’ll be on at least 4-5 of these as long as I’m alive! 

Could Whitney have been intoxicated or fallen in a drug induced state?  Sure, but I don’t know the reality of the situation….and neither does the general public!  In a strange way, a confirmed, self-medicated state would only make the situation sadder.

In an unexpected twist, my newsfeeds have been full of statuses indicating that the fallen service men and women from our country in the last week have been overshadowed by the attention given to a drugged out pop singer.  It seems some of my Christian and Patriot friends have forgone the values they profess and defend!    While the website and its operators are far from infallible, the United States Department of Defense has reported the following casualties in association with “Operation Enduring Freedom” in the last two weeks: 

USMC Lcpl  Edward Joe Dyers  of Greenville, MS on February 1^st

Army BG Terrance John Hildner, of Fairfax, VA February 3^rd
Army SFC Billy Albert Sutton, Tupelo MI, Feb 13^th

With absolutely ZERO disrespect, two of these young men died prior to the passing of Whitney Houston.  Only one died afterward.  Her death did not OVERSHADOW their heroism.  A large percentage of our population may place emphasis on the life of a fallen pop idol – and another large percentage may place added emphasis on fallen lives, in uniform.  Please understand that I have four friends who have lost sons in Afghanistan in the last 2 years, so this is a matter that is near to my heart. However, I feel confident that all lives are valued and precious in the eyes of our Lord.  Who are we to determine otherwise?

Ironically, it seems many feel compelled to elevate Tebow and/or the Super Bowl to heights far above the oft discounted life of Whitney Houston….In fact, according to twitterstats.net, the last 24 hours have generated 1478 tweets with the hash tag #whitneyhouston.  Interestingly, 1482 tweets were generated with the hash tag #timtebow.  Even more interesting?  The #Superbowl hash tag generated over TEN THOUSAND tweets per second during the February 5^th game (per readwriteweb.com.)   I’ve intentionally searched and cannot find A SINGLE PERSON who has suggested that the 2012 Super Bowl overshadowed a single “Operation Enduring Freedom” casualty.  What’s wrong with this picture?  Do I understand that it’s okay to exponentially elevate one single sporting event – with no life lost, but with incredible commercial value - over a single combat casualty?  REALLY?  If I’m off track, PLEASE help me to see my inaccuracy – help ME to see that one life is of less value than another. 

With humble sincerity, I commit to praying for the families of our fallen war heroes.  I also commit to praying for the daughter, mother and extended family of Whitney – a troubled soul, but one valued by the King of Kings.  Who are we to judge?  Is my life a life that’s “white as snow, apart from the saving grace of Jesus?” ABSOLUTELY NOT.  Is yours?   Aren’t you glad that your life is not fodder for gossip in the supermarket checkout?Top of Form

On Sunday evening, roughly 24 hours after learning of Whitney Houston’s death, and after being appalled by the  general judgmental commentary, I posted the following Facebook status: 

Who are we to judge? I only hope that when I die, others will be quick to remember the good that came from my life...and slower still to recall my poor choices. No matter what you thought of Whitney Houston, she was a mother, daughter and friend. She was a beautiful, talented, child of God - and not unlike the rest of us, she battled demons too, hers were just made public.

Instead of condemning a life that’s gone from Earth – why not pray for the ones she left behind?

~~~~~

In the spirit of full disclosure, I cannot close this post without addressing the latest controversy.  I heard this morning that NJ Governor, Chris Christie has ordered the American flag to fly at half-mast on Saturday during Whitney’s funeral.  Well, IMHO – that should be a tribute reserved for the fallen service men and women of each state, as well as national and state governmental leaders.  Personally, if this is the honor given on Saturday – I feel a dangerous precedent is set.  In months and years to come, will the family and fan base of SnoopDog, Clay Aiken, Taylor Swift and Sir Mix-a-Lot demand equal treatment?  Wow, who will make that divisive, subjective decision? (No disprespect to any of these artists, of course!)

Before you respond harshly to my viewpoints - allow me to tell you why I DID NOT post anything about the Super Bowl. My precious son, a United States Marine – returned from a 10 ½ month deployment in the Middle East.  At this moment, without a Google search, I couldn’t begin to tell you who won the Super Bowl, let alone who played.  All that mattered to me on February 5^th, 2012 is that I was able to hug my “baby boy’s” neck. 

Top of FEphesians 4:29

“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. (Matt 7:1-5)

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.  (Eph 4:29)

I tell you, on the day of judgment people will give account for every careless word they speak, for by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.” (Matt 12:36-37)