"Bring Your Teaspoon"

Resist Privilege

Peace, security, and hope comes when we practice connection; when we resist the sinful and broken illusion that we are separate from, better than, or entitled to more than another. When we convince ourselves that the highest value is to guard our own comfort, even at the expense of another, we begin to surrender our humanity. When we convince ourselves that certain collateral damage is acceptable because it's easier than taking a stand, we begin to surrender our faith. Resist the illusion of privilege. Listen to voices that are different than yours. Practice connection. We were created for communion. Let's be who we were created to be.

In Your Mercy, O Lord

O Lord, who may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?

            Those who walk blamelessly, and do what is right,

and speak the truth from their heart;

who do not slander with their tongue,

and do no evil to their friends,

nor take up a reproach against their neighbors;

                      in whose eyes the wicked are despised, but who honor those who fear the Lord; who stand by their oath even to their hurt;

                      who do not lend money at interest, and do not take a bribe against the innocent.

Those who do these things shall never be moved. --Psalm 15

Who, O Lord, may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
In your mercy, O Lord, reunite our words with our actions,
that we may never speak of what is right while disassembling another's dignity.
In your mercy, O Lord, make truth, once again, a lifelong companion of mercy,
that we may never  claim to possess truth, while rejecting our brothers and sisters.
In your mercy, O Lord, lead us up to your holy hill as one people,
that we may see ourselves in one another, on a pilgrimage from disunity into holy communion.
In your mercy, O Lord, give us the courage to see with Your eyes,
that we may recognize the cloak of your love wrapped around every soul, from every place.
In your mercy, O Lord, immerse us in the waters of your justice,
that we may emerge with the strength to stand with the vulnerable, speak for the unheard, and protect
the unprotected.
In your mercy, O Lord, release us from the shackles of materialism and greed,
that we may use our privilege to liberate others; that we may use our power to empower others;
that we may use our resources to advance equity and flourishing for all.
Who, O Lord, may abide in your tent? Who may dwell on your holy hill?
"God has told you, O mortal, what is good and what does God require of you,
but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?"
O Lord, in your mercy, help us to accept your invitation.
Let justice, kindness, and mercy be our path, that we may find our way to You.

You are Loved, Therefore you Are

My prayer for all of us in this new year is that we stop competing in the puritan work ethic Olympics, whose mantra is "I do, therefore I am," and tell ourselves a new story, "I am loved, therefore I am." This changes things. We will still have projects to finish, food to cook, dishes to wash, hard things to work out, and laundry to finish. But those things are not who we are. As Fred Rogers reminds us in his perfect song, "It's you I like. It's not the things you wear. It's not the way you wear your hair, but it's you I like. The way you are right now. The way down deep inside you. It's not the things that hide you, not your toys; they're just beside you. It's you I like." Remember that you are LOVED by the God who is love, therefore you are.

Bearing Light

Windows bend, transform, and bear light. The most beautiful stained glass windows tell stories with the light that passes through them. God's Light passes through each one of us. We are Light benders, Light transformers, and Light bearers. The stories we tell with our lives can turn Light into a blinding weapon or a healing warmth. Tell stories of grace, forgiveness, compassion, reconciliation and love. Bend others toward healing. Transform anger into an invitation to communion. Bear hope into dark places. Be a living reminder that "The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it."

Be a Bridge

Life is full of love and beauty. It also asks us to bear the weight of hard things. Each day we can choose to live and act in ways that put people in the way of love and beauty, or we can surrender them to the weight of hard things. Put people in the way of love and beauty. Be kind. Listen. Share your resources and your time. Stick around for people when they can't find their joy. Don't honk. Don't exclude some people in order to gain the approval of others. Say what you love about people out loud. Give people credit for their good ideas. Cheer people on. There is enough love, joy, and abundance for everyone when, by God's grace, we choose to embody Love and beauty. So put someone in the way of love and beauty today. It may be just the bridge they need to get from despair to hope.

The Heart of Democracy

I just finished watching the inauguration. I sympathize with those who opted not to watch. However, I am a primary source person, as often as is possible, so I always prefer to see and hear things as they happen. I was disturbed by the "America First" refrain, as it bears such echoes of isolationism. I believe we can be patriotic, and build up what is best about our country, without walling ourselves of from, and weakening alliances with other countries. True patriotism doesn't require homogeneity of ideas, backgrounds, or political philosophy. But true patriotism must be founded upon a fundamental reverence for human dignity, protection of the vulnerable, and a love of diversity. When we stray from those values, either with our rhetoric or our policies, we betray the heart of democracy. My prayer for this new administration is that they will hear the voices of all Americans, discover the humility that undergirds all real strength, and trade isolationism for fierce and substansive diplomacy. I pray that people on both sides of the aisle will redirect their anger, fear, and frustration into mobilized commitment to calling and writing their representatives, studying the issues, and and getting out the vote for the midterm elections. If we took the 3 minutes it takes to make a meme, and used that time to write or call our representatives, just think of what we could accomplish! On this damp cold day, I'm going to make some homemade bread and remind myself that each of us can be the yeast that helps this country rise. May each of us use our lives, our personal spheres of influence, and our personal encounters, to be like the starter for Amish friendship bread. May our witness and work be one that can be passed on and made into nourishment for all who receive it. When we live this way, all will be well because we will be taking care of each other, regardless of who occupies the white house.

Cheap Peace vs. True Peace

As I reflect on Dr. King’s legacy, and what it means to be a leader, I am struck by the stark contrast between cheap peace and true peace. Dr. King said that “peace is not merely the absence of tension, but the presence of justice.” Cheap peace privileges the comfort of some over the wholeness and dignity of others. Cheap peace silences dissent for the sake of the appearance of unity. Cheap peace is alluring, because it promises to make things more pleasant. It tempts us with the mirage of ease and tranquility. But, just beneath the surface, cheap peace always leaves suffering and pain in its wake. It asks some to silently bear heavy burdens to preserve the illusion of tranquility. Cheap peace is forged in a house built on sinking sand, beautiful on the outside, but easily destroyed by every new storm. 

True peace is not often pleasant, tranquil, easy, or alluring. It’s forged in a sturdy house built on a solid foundation of faithfulness. It’s a messy, busy, well-worn place with dust in the corners, cracks in need of repair, and creaking floors. But there is room there for everyone. There, everyone has a voice. Everyone’s grievances are heard. Discussions are conducted with respect and love, even if they take longer to have. Even if they are uncomfortable at times. True peace—God’s peace— won’t be known for its perfect building, but the enduring legacy of its people—people who aren’t afraid to do the right thing, especially when it’s mandate for inclusivity is hard, inconvenient, unpleasant, or messy. But true peace is the only peace worth having.

Wordprints

In Winter the snow falls and catches us in our tracks, making molds where our feet pass, reminding us of how we have tread, and showing us the marks we have made. What if our words, like our feet, left prints and impressions we could see? What would the faces of our family, friends, co-workers, and enemies look like? Words land like seeds or like shards. They either nurture growth, or they leave pain in their wake. Words can transform a dark path into a luminaria walk. They can transform a hopeless heart into a resilient one. Words can transform scars into love stories, and shame into dignity. Be mindful of your wordprints. Plant seeds. Nurture hope. Offer light. Recognize beauty in what has been broken. Speak truth without shaming. Your wordprints shape souls. Be careful how you tread.