Already been there. Not going back.

In this scene set in sadness like the night is here to stay,
There is evil cast around us but it’s Love that wrote the play,
And through this darkness, Love will show the way.
–David Wilcox


The past week (or more) has been very difficult; August 12 marked a very ugly day in Charlottesville, Virginia.

Fresh young faces, theoretically the future of our country, were twisted in rage as they marched for all the world to see, trying to convince that same world that they are somehow better than everyone else because their skin is white.

But then Love kicked in.

Here in Cleveland, a group calling themselves Indivisible CLE, diverse in so many ways, shared prayers, hugs and pleas to love one another, period.

In Denver, Colorado, over a thousand people gathered near a statue of Martin Luther King to sing, to pray, to remind those who had forgotten that This land was made for you and me.

In cities across southern Florida, peaceful candlelight vigils were held. In the face of such stark reminders of our racist history, hundreds came together to shine the light of Love through the darkness.

In Charlottesville, twenty clergy of many faiths, dressed in full robes and stoles, linked arms in a show of solidarity and strength, sending the strong message for all to see:

God’s Love will always prevail-- again and again. 

We shall overcome someday. (Why not today?)

Monday If you are able-bodied, choose today to leave a close-in parking space at the mall or grocery store available for someone else. Ruth 2:4-9

Tuesday The food banks in our communities are always in need. This week, pick up some tuna, macaroni & cheese or other pasta and drop it off at a kitchen or food bank. Ruth 2:10-13

Wednesday No matter what your politics, pause today and reflect on the life of a nation’s leader and their family, living in a fishbowl. Pray for them. 2 Samuel 7:18-29

Thursday Pay attention to the strangers today with whom you interact, people in line, a cashier or server. Pray for them and their families. Philippians 2:5-11

Friday Is there someone in your life who inspires you? Someone whom you admire or consider a role model? Have you told them? Today would be a great day to make a call or drop a note. 1 Corinthians 1:4-9

Saturday As you pray for yourself today, thank God for the people and opportunities you have had in your life that made you who you are today. Rest. Psalm 17:6-8

Sunday So many opportunities in this place! When was the last time you told someone about this church you call home? Next Sunday—bring a friend! Luke 14:12-14

When there is no enemy within, the enemies outside cannot hurt you. –African proverb


Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Spiritual dehydration

  Inside myself is a place where I live all alone, and that is where I renew my springs that never dry up. –Pearl S. Buck   The past two years (at least) have been exhausting, haven’t they? We had a pandemic that physically left us anxious and afraid. Our churches, where we go for nourishment, were closed or online longer than we wanted—and even now, we are careful. Politically, we have been divided against one another, and those wounds are still bleeding in many cases. We need to take care of ourselves. And it’s never been more difficult. What to do? How do I make time in our busy schedules—for me ? The simple answer: Whatever it takes. Remember when we would fly to a vacation destination? How the flight attendant would remind us that if the cabin loses pressure, the oxygen masks would drop down out of the ceiling? And that before we offer to help anyone else, we need to have our own masks in place ? Good advice for life in general. Today: Pause. Take inventory ...
Read more

What are you waiting for?

  The waiting is the hardest part. –Tom Petty   We spend a lot of time waiting. Waiting for the coffee to finish dripping. Waiting for the light to turn green. Waiting for the next available agent. It’s inevitable, really. We cannot always be first, and if we aren’t first, we’ll have to wait. But I think the more important thing is to ask yourself: How am I at waiting? Do I find myself getting anxious and fidgety? Am I worrying about things not going the way I really need them to go? Is my attitude rubbing off on people around me? The best way to wait is not to worry where we are in line, or gripe about wasted time. The best way to wait—is to be right there , in the moment of waiting. The disciples waited in fear; we wait in hope. Why not use this waiting time to pray? Welcome God’s presence into your heart. Ask God to bring you into the moment. Inquire what God would ask of you in this moment . Thank God for wisdom, patience, humor. . . . Take a d-e...
Read more

Don't be afraid.

Living is a great deal more than simply not dying. It is carrying out a mission, committing oneself to fashion some meaning that will attain eternity. –Leonardo Boff When asked, “What are you afraid of?” we offer a myriad of answers: snakes, spiders, flying in an airplane. But when pressed, many people, believers and non-believers alike, will admit that the one thing they fear most, at the core of their being, is death. Most of us enjoy having control over our lives, and frankly, we have very little control over, or way of knowing, how or when our earthly journey will end. And we have even fewer concrete answers about what will happen next. We have the profession of our faith and the occasional “crossing-over” story—but. No wonder death is near the top of that list. But sometimes, as I look around, it seems like people are less fearful about dying—and more afraid of living. Really cutting loose and enjoying our time together as human beings privileged to live in God’s am...
Read more