If the scriptures teach us anything, it is that grieving is a part of faith. (Welcome to Lent.)
But from that comes humility. And from that comes appreciating the small victories.
This is my experience:
It was around 2003, 2004… I was still smarting from a divorce, so I took a trip to New York. It was also late July, so I don’t have to tell you what the subways felt like… or smelled like.
I boarded a car for the ride to Brooklyn, and noticed a woman, clearly a Muslim, in a full niqab (I had to look it up): veiled from head to toe, just a slit for her eyes. About ten feet away from her was a group of teenage boys.
Now, it was noisy, but I could pick a few things they started saying at her: made-up Arabic sounding gibberish, and laughter (this was only a few years after 9/11). They never approached her.
To me, it was “regrettable”, and easy to pass off as just another bunch of boys being a55holes—no reason for me, or anybody else, to get involved.
But then a young woman with an NYU bag stood up and walked over to the Muslim.
I didn’t hear the dialogue, but this is what I saw:
She approached, stopped, and said something. The niqab woman quickly nodded. NYU sat next to her, and spoke to her… niqab woman listening intently. Niqab then nodded again, closed her eyes, and the two held hands. NYU bowed her head.
They were praying.
The teens had gone silent, except for a few giggles.
I had to get off at the next stop, but that image of those two women in prayer has stayed with me, and informed me, ever since:
Forget head-on, single combat. Instead, simply stand with the afflicted. Bullies are, by definition, loners, and therefore cannot face a group.
One victim, plus one who cares, equals courage. And small victories will add up.
Lovely, I needed that this morning. Most of us have had numerous miracles & wonderful life lessons. But in the crazy out of control days we’re living in it is easy to give up hope. My faith is usually strong. Often when I get this low I tell myself…if God is God, He is ALWAYS God. Thank you for sharing that story, I will carry it with me throughout this day knowing that I am not supposed to save the world. I am just supposed to love the people God puts in front of me today.
And that is how we save the world. One act of kindness at a time because there are many of us who still believe in treating others the way we want to be treated….and if we don’t give up, together we can make a difference.
Thank you, Thayne! Your story fills my eyes with joyful tears, heals my tired soul & does awaken hope! I will start to pay more attention to the "small victories" that I attempt to spread. Peace :)
Dearest Marianne, You’re healing me and lighting more my hope! You've given me a small but shining victory today knowing that this has made a difference for someone far away out there somewhere. You honor me and I am grateful. Please don’t hesitate to pass it along. “When someone asks what there is to do, light the candle in their hand.” —Rumi
The grief that smothers me comes from the unfathomable level of suffering in the world caused by my once beloved country. The grief comes from the loss of our humanity. It is indeed suffocating.
I totally relate to your feelings about America. I find my face physically burns with embarrassment. The grief is real and deep. But look at us, we are NOT alone. We will defeat this, we must defeat this.
If the first days and weeks of this administration continue as they've begun, what will be left of America? Will there be anything left to salvage? We've destroyed the trust of many of our allies in just over two months. Alliances that took decades to build, and may never be repaired. I pray continually and look for hope every day that God will give us the grace and strength to endure.
You said well. It's hard when all the things I so admired in this country appear to be crumbling. We've got some ugly actors at the helm. Their obvious need for power and control supercedes all other considerations.
I’m having a hard time with the ugliness in my heart for trump supporters whose votes ushered in this catastrophe. I don’t want to feel such negativity toward friends, neighbors and relatives, and have never thought of myself as a person who could harbor such dark thoughts, but as things get worse and worse for those I love, I’m finding it more and more difficult to forgive them for their past actions and their continued beliefs. I feel like I’m becoming a person I don’t like or recognize…
Same! I struggle with this feeling everyday. I feel such anger and bitterness anytime that I am out and about, flipping off cars with MAGA bumper stickers or homes with MAGA flags. I have to catch myself when I am on the verge of action that I once would view as reprehensible. Who am I now? The cognitive dissonance is overwhelming. My peace of mind comes from reading The Beautiful Mess and knowing I am not alone.
You've put into words exactly what I feel. But we cannot let the bas...rds win! Courage. Take a walk, enjoy the birds, get plenty of sleep and watch very little news!
I know what you mean. I'm feeling it too, especially as things worsen, day by day. It doesn't jibe with my belief that all beings are part of one presence.
I saw an inspiration quote that says "see the light in others and treat them like that is all u see". I have one long time friend who supports Trump and im tryin to hang onto the good things. But I established a boundary to not discuss anything political. It's no longer about having an intelligent discussion about the situations of the day in the news. It seems to be about 2 different realities and arguments to support our realities. I'm hanging on to the above quote by a thin thread. And I think it's ok to put a pause on these friendships. U are not being negative, u are being in truth. Blessings.
I am with you on looking for the light in others. I was taught that it is not my my job to try to change others, it is my job to love them, even when I disagree and may even need to distance myself from some. If the love of God for me is unconditional, then my job is to love unconditionally. Again not conflating love with agreement, concurrence, excusing the evil. Just recognizing I must continue to look for the light in others. Read Richard Reich's post about the Republican Senator Alan Simpson. If only we could reach civility again. I cannot control others to be civil, but I must try hard to continue to be. Take care.
You are not alone with this. I have more darkness in my heart than I ever suspected. Working daily on not hating, or blaming. Shine the light on it. I just don't know what else to do.
If faith is failing, love harder. Love where you are. Love who you're with. Jesus knew where the road was taking him. He never turned back. All that long road to Jerusalem, he loved and healed, loved and fed, loved and taught, loved and walked on. He knows what we are going through and he loves us. He knows our faith is weakening and he loves us. Keep walking. Keep going. Keep praying. Keep loving.
I cannot stop from seeing the similarity between Jesus's treatment filled with hate and disbelief and mockery when He was caring his Cross up the hill and what the Humanity is experiencing today under this administration and all around the World
Just keep in mind ... Jesus didn't have someone there to support and help Him through... He was caring the Cross knowing what had to come and still ... said a prayer for those who were crucifying Him.
He is LOVE and I am not asking us to be like Him (even though that would change the World) but at least to see how strong his LOVE for us was and how much God loved the World because He sacrificed His Only son for us ❤️🩹🙏
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
This prayer echoes my own feelings to a T. Most days I don’t even know how to pray. The attacks on the truth and the rule of law are hurtful because those attacks are aimed at hurting flesh and blood people INTENTIONALLY! I am grieving the loss of so many possibilities because of hate.
I read an article this morning that Netanyahu is not allowing food into Gaza as per Israel's agreement with Hamas. Israel's government has turned off electricity so there's no power in Gaza. We know that Hamas is a terrorist organization, but it's the Palestinian people who are paying a heavy price. A physician talked with the journalist by phone. He said that he'd lost 40 pounds, and some of his patients died from malnutrition.
I have been praying a similar prayer. The people closest to me, the people that led me to faith in Jesus are the ones filled with judgment and lack of compassion. I cannot see Christ in them. I have found comfort in the mystics - especially Julian of Norwich. I have learned from Richard Rohr who I once thought of as heretical especially in his new book "the tears of things". I too am hanging on by a thread. But I am coming to understand and hope more and more in the unconditional love of Christ and his endless compassion for each of us. I see others as driven by fear of God and fear of change. I had hoped mankind would have progressed more by now and I wonder at what God allows to be done in his name but then I remember it was the same in Jesus' day and he taught us how to deal with it. You are a prophet speaking to a fallen people. Keep speaking out but don't lose your love and compassion for those who live in such rigid fear. That's what I am trying to do with limited success.
Your prayer reminds me of some of the psalms where the psalmist rails against God for just what you are praying about. Where are you Lord when all is falling apart, I have to wonder if the Jews did not feel much the same as they were rounded up, put on box cars for concentration camps and death. I remember Viktor Frankl who survived and wrote that those who survived did not lose hope. It is hard to hold on to but we must. We must be a light when all around is darkness. I have deliberately kept some Christmas candles in my windows shining light out in the night. It is my statement that I refuse to lose hope. Frankly losing hoping no longer resisting the darkness is just what this administration wants. They want us to fold. Does it mean standing against people who claim the name "christian", I believe that we must. We may not tack 95 thesis to a church door, but like Luther when the church's corruption was so bad, we need to stand firm and remember if God is Love we must not be a jerk. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your beautiful faith and the beautiful mess. I am an ex-Catholic who prays for the wonderful humanitarian pope, go figure! I'm really a UU at heart and love all of the amazing prophets who came to help us as we struggle through the human experience. Your prayer this morning prompted me to search out the answer to how many wars are going on in our world today. The answer came up as 20 plus 4 serious conflicts. Yes, we are lucky to be one of the apparently 160 or so countries not at war. My question then is what part do we collectively do to stem this tide of violence? I think we very intentionally look to the simple message from our prophets and treat the least of these with utmost love. It's our moment by moment actions that make the difference. So I try to move from that place when I call my Senator and firmly tell them to vote NO on this CR. If my government won't support the resistance in Ukraine, then I find a way to do it myself in some small measure because I know in my heart that they are on the right side of God if you will. Then love my enemies, BUT KNOW MY ENEMIES, and throw over the money tables and kick out the merchants at the temple as Jesus did. It seems to me, based on what little I do know, that our prophets were activists. I am trying to follow their example moment by moment and your daily letters and prayers lift me up. I'm just one person but it does start with me, right? Thank you for all you do!❤️🤍💙
I don’t think God will swoop in and save humanity. I believe in social rights movements, protests, organizing, educating, developing a new, fighting leadership across the working class and allies.
I look at the lessons of the civil rights movement in the US and other leaders internationally, such as Nelson Mandela. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X. Both assassinated. They gave their lives as many others did.
I am not feeling wonderful in this moment because I’m distressed at the suffering that is happening and will grow…
I keep in mind that God did not create this pile of crap problems , people did. I pray to God that we are given the insite to lead us out of this mess. We must pay attention to what is around us and who we surround ourself with. Pray for strategy and wisdom along with protection and strength to get threw this storm. Jesus was full of action
I am a lost soul - I am struggling - I pray everyday for good to overcome the evil that has been unleashed. I feel I have forgotten how to pray to be heard. We are in the valley of the shadow of death and I do fear evil - it is surrounding us.
Good morning Teresa ❤️. It does feel oppressive out there. And John’s article helped me express my feelings too. (Thank you John)
I have been looking for the Mr.Rogers “helpers”. And you know what, they are everywhere!!! Holding doors, giving directions, answering phones, volunteering at food banks and hospitals, inviting people to join Majong groups or sewing circles or Worship services, handing out shopping carts, picking up litter on the side of the road, attending school functions and plays so the kids know we care, smiling at strangers… there are soooo many “I know how you feel” smiles out there. There are people out there doing good things!! And all these good things will smother the hate. Every moment of love is a win. Sending you some now ❤️
Thank you Cindy. I also do those acts of kindness - in hopes that I can lift someone else up - we never know who is on the brink of giving up. Today is just a dark day for me - I am struggling and your kind words are letting some light in.
Thank you! As difficult as it is to keep a loving heart, one thing I do to protect myself is not to take in much of any of this. I figure if I let myself be burnt out and discouraged, I have less energy to be there for others.
I fear evil too. I fear the monsters that are shaping how we live in the world. I fear there is no power that will set it right if it isn’t us. I fear God can’t. God can only fuel our engines and only if we allow it. But we haven’t learned to pray for that, yet.
Over the past few years I’ve really enjoyed reading your articles, John, even though I’m an atheist. I went to church off and on as a child but this was way back when the church pastor drove around neighborhoods recruiting the kids playing outdoors to come to vacation bible school. Nowadays, the pastor would probably be arrested for predatory behavior and, really, are there any kids playing outside? But I digress. So with my parents permission, I went to vacation bible school, then started going to Sunday School, culminating in a trip to a Christian summer camp where I was the victim of the meanest, cruelest group of girls I’d ever met. No more church for me. Now I can see how these so called Christians in America are as adults, and how their kids have become as adults….total hypocrites who are still just the most hateful human beings. I honestly don’t understand how people can believe there is a God when so many awful things happen to people, especially innocent children (physical abuse, sexual abuse, etc…) because why would a loving God allow these things to happen? And when I see on social media sites people saying we need to pray about the destruction of our country, I hope to hell that’s not all they are doing, because that isn’t going to get us out of this mess. I know you’re out there being active, John (another of your columns :) and I’m surely not criticizing your faith. But at the moment, I’m really seeing how you’re questioning your God. Keep up the good writing.
I am a believer in Christ. Yet, I endured many miserable years of Baptist Summer Camps, along side the snotty, arrogant, and know-it-all girls. Those were tough weeks. So, glad those days are long gone.
I cannot answer to the many mysteries of God but relative to something u mentioned in ur piece, what I have come to understand is that when humans made the choice so many years ago to have free will, we separated ourselves from our source which is God. As part of that choice God agrees to not interfere with our free will and we are constantly striving to be close and reconnect with Him. Yes He could interfere and make things right in the world but humanity needs to do our part ... I'm hopeful that we're getting closer to being able and ready for His intervention.
My heart hurts, physically hurts, every day, for the targeted people, God’s people, each and every person on this earth who was created in the likeness of Christ Jesus Himself. Threatened by an enemy who proclaims to be a Christian. “My dear Christians” he proclaimed one day recently, and I almost threw up, even I heard him say those words. This evil man and his godless minions, are rounding up people like cattle and taking them to places they don’t want to go for fear of their lives and the llives of their children. This evil insane poor excuse for a man, claims to love everybody. And this is how he shows it? I just want Jesus to come right now!! To end this hate. To end the insanity. To judge the evil, the hatred, the suffering of human beings and torn apart families. I’ve actually prayed for an assassins bullet to find its mark on his head, but then I look at the lineup of all the evil that would be next in line and I would be praying again and again and again for yet another bullet. And my heart hurts once again. Many of us are hanging on by a thread and our only hope is in our faith in Christ Jesus and his never ending love for all who turn to Him and pray Come! Lord Jesus, Come! 🙏🏼
I've never prayed for assassin's to end this mess but it's really hard not to!! But what then?? There's so many more in line to deal with. I think every believer out there is struggling so the Bible says to confess our sins one to another - So that we might be healed. I see that happening in these columns so okay - I'm alright with that!! NOW come Jesus 👍🏾🙏🏾💯
I’ve studied history, witnessed some of it, and what I see is thousands of years of brutality. Christianity has joined in heartily in many cases. I’m old now and becoming the cynic I never wanted to be. I will run the race and fight the good fight and let my mind dwell on the whatevers, I will do the best I can to be kind, to be truthful, and to reach out and to include, which is what St Teresa said is Christ on earth, us, just us, our hands, our feet, our eyes, our hearts. Dear God, WTH, could have been our prayer since time began in every corner of the world.
But God’s just been patting our fannies and pushing us out the door and telling us to clean up our own mess. We have met the enemy and he is us; we have met the savior and he is also us.
If the scriptures teach us anything, it is that grieving is a part of faith. (Welcome to Lent.)
But from that comes humility. And from that comes appreciating the small victories.
This is my experience:
It was around 2003, 2004… I was still smarting from a divorce, so I took a trip to New York. It was also late July, so I don’t have to tell you what the subways felt like… or smelled like.
I boarded a car for the ride to Brooklyn, and noticed a woman, clearly a Muslim, in a full niqab (I had to look it up): veiled from head to toe, just a slit for her eyes. About ten feet away from her was a group of teenage boys.
Now, it was noisy, but I could pick a few things they started saying at her: made-up Arabic sounding gibberish, and laughter (this was only a few years after 9/11). They never approached her.
To me, it was “regrettable”, and easy to pass off as just another bunch of boys being a55holes—no reason for me, or anybody else, to get involved.
But then a young woman with an NYU bag stood up and walked over to the Muslim.
I didn’t hear the dialogue, but this is what I saw:
She approached, stopped, and said something. The niqab woman quickly nodded. NYU sat next to her, and spoke to her… niqab woman listening intently. Niqab then nodded again, closed her eyes, and the two held hands. NYU bowed her head.
They were praying.
The teens had gone silent, except for a few giggles.
I had to get off at the next stop, but that image of those two women in prayer has stayed with me, and informed me, ever since:
Forget head-on, single combat. Instead, simply stand with the afflicted. Bullies are, by definition, loners, and therefore cannot face a group.
One victim, plus one who cares, equals courage. And small victories will add up.
Blessings
“Forget head-on, single combat. Instead, simply stand with the afflicted. Bullies are, by definition, loners, and therefore cannot face a group.
One victim, plus one who cares, equals courage. And small victories will add up.”
Thank you
Lovely, I needed that this morning. Most of us have had numerous miracles & wonderful life lessons. But in the crazy out of control days we’re living in it is easy to give up hope. My faith is usually strong. Often when I get this low I tell myself…if God is God, He is ALWAYS God. Thank you for sharing that story, I will carry it with me throughout this day knowing that I am not supposed to save the world. I am just supposed to love the people God puts in front of me today.
And that is how we save the world. One act of kindness at a time because there are many of us who still believe in treating others the way we want to be treated….and if we don’t give up, together we can make a difference.
So well said! Thank you
Thank you for this💕
This I love and appreciate especially for today. Thank you 👍🏾🙏🏾
Thank you, Thayne! Your story fills my eyes with joyful tears, heals my tired soul & does awaken hope! I will start to pay more attention to the "small victories" that I attempt to spread. Peace :)
Dearest Marianne, You’re healing me and lighting more my hope! You've given me a small but shining victory today knowing that this has made a difference for someone far away out there somewhere. You honor me and I am grateful. Please don’t hesitate to pass it along. “When someone asks what there is to do, light the candle in their hand.” —Rumi
Beautiful! Had to look up Rumi...and also love this one: "Let the beauty of what you love be what you do." Thanks again :)
What a lovely, moving story.
The grief that smothers me comes from the unfathomable level of suffering in the world caused by my once beloved country. The grief comes from the loss of our humanity. It is indeed suffocating.
I totally relate to your feelings about America. I find my face physically burns with embarrassment. The grief is real and deep. But look at us, we are NOT alone. We will defeat this, we must defeat this.
If the first days and weeks of this administration continue as they've begun, what will be left of America? Will there be anything left to salvage? We've destroyed the trust of many of our allies in just over two months. Alliances that took decades to build, and may never be repaired. I pray continually and look for hope every day that God will give us the grace and strength to endure.
I pray for grace and strength also...For God so loved the WORLD....
You said well. It's hard when all the things I so admired in this country appear to be crumbling. We've got some ugly actors at the helm. Their obvious need for power and control supercedes all other considerations.
I’m having a hard time with the ugliness in my heart for trump supporters whose votes ushered in this catastrophe. I don’t want to feel such negativity toward friends, neighbors and relatives, and have never thought of myself as a person who could harbor such dark thoughts, but as things get worse and worse for those I love, I’m finding it more and more difficult to forgive them for their past actions and their continued beliefs. I feel like I’m becoming a person I don’t like or recognize…
Same! I struggle with this feeling everyday. I feel such anger and bitterness anytime that I am out and about, flipping off cars with MAGA bumper stickers or homes with MAGA flags. I have to catch myself when I am on the verge of action that I once would view as reprehensible. Who am I now? The cognitive dissonance is overwhelming. My peace of mind comes from reading The Beautiful Mess and knowing I am not alone.
You've put into words exactly what I feel. But we cannot let the bas...rds win! Courage. Take a walk, enjoy the birds, get plenty of sleep and watch very little news!
I know what you mean. I'm feeling it too, especially as things worsen, day by day. It doesn't jibe with my belief that all beings are part of one presence.
They have a different reality. Like a cult.
Me too. Plans are afoot to wear us down so sabotaging our country is much easier to do.
I saw an inspiration quote that says "see the light in others and treat them like that is all u see". I have one long time friend who supports Trump and im tryin to hang onto the good things. But I established a boundary to not discuss anything political. It's no longer about having an intelligent discussion about the situations of the day in the news. It seems to be about 2 different realities and arguments to support our realities. I'm hanging on to the above quote by a thin thread. And I think it's ok to put a pause on these friendships. U are not being negative, u are being in truth. Blessings.
I am with you on looking for the light in others. I was taught that it is not my my job to try to change others, it is my job to love them, even when I disagree and may even need to distance myself from some. If the love of God for me is unconditional, then my job is to love unconditionally. Again not conflating love with agreement, concurrence, excusing the evil. Just recognizing I must continue to look for the light in others. Read Richard Reich's post about the Republican Senator Alan Simpson. If only we could reach civility again. I cannot control others to be civil, but I must try hard to continue to be. Take care.
I will try this!
You are not alone with this. I have more darkness in my heart than I ever suspected. Working daily on not hating, or blaming. Shine the light on it. I just don't know what else to do.
If faith is failing, love harder. Love where you are. Love who you're with. Jesus knew where the road was taking him. He never turned back. All that long road to Jerusalem, he loved and healed, loved and fed, loved and taught, loved and walked on. He knows what we are going through and he loves us. He knows our faith is weakening and he loves us. Keep walking. Keep going. Keep praying. Keep loving.
Thank you and blessings upon blessings to you 🙏🏾🤗❤️
I cannot stop from seeing the similarity between Jesus's treatment filled with hate and disbelief and mockery when He was caring his Cross up the hill and what the Humanity is experiencing today under this administration and all around the World
Just keep in mind ... Jesus didn't have someone there to support and help Him through... He was caring the Cross knowing what had to come and still ... said a prayer for those who were crucifying Him.
He is LOVE and I am not asking us to be like Him (even though that would change the World) but at least to see how strong his LOVE for us was and how much God loved the World because He sacrificed His Only son for us ❤️🩹🙏
Corinthians 13 1
Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.
This prayer echoes my own feelings to a T. Most days I don’t even know how to pray. The attacks on the truth and the rule of law are hurtful because those attacks are aimed at hurting flesh and blood people INTENTIONALLY! I am grieving the loss of so many possibilities because of hate.
I read an article this morning that Netanyahu is not allowing food into Gaza as per Israel's agreement with Hamas. Israel's government has turned off electricity so there's no power in Gaza. We know that Hamas is a terrorist organization, but it's the Palestinian people who are paying a heavy price. A physician talked with the journalist by phone. He said that he'd lost 40 pounds, and some of his patients died from malnutrition.
I have been praying a similar prayer. The people closest to me, the people that led me to faith in Jesus are the ones filled with judgment and lack of compassion. I cannot see Christ in them. I have found comfort in the mystics - especially Julian of Norwich. I have learned from Richard Rohr who I once thought of as heretical especially in his new book "the tears of things". I too am hanging on by a thread. But I am coming to understand and hope more and more in the unconditional love of Christ and his endless compassion for each of us. I see others as driven by fear of God and fear of change. I had hoped mankind would have progressed more by now and I wonder at what God allows to be done in his name but then I remember it was the same in Jesus' day and he taught us how to deal with it. You are a prophet speaking to a fallen people. Keep speaking out but don't lose your love and compassion for those who live in such rigid fear. That's what I am trying to do with limited success.
Katherine, Thanks for sharing that. Rohr in his book “Tears of Things” is also showing me a way past my rage and sadness.
Your prayer reminds me of some of the psalms where the psalmist rails against God for just what you are praying about. Where are you Lord when all is falling apart, I have to wonder if the Jews did not feel much the same as they were rounded up, put on box cars for concentration camps and death. I remember Viktor Frankl who survived and wrote that those who survived did not lose hope. It is hard to hold on to but we must. We must be a light when all around is darkness. I have deliberately kept some Christmas candles in my windows shining light out in the night. It is my statement that I refuse to lose hope. Frankly losing hoping no longer resisting the darkness is just what this administration wants. They want us to fold. Does it mean standing against people who claim the name "christian", I believe that we must. We may not tack 95 thesis to a church door, but like Luther when the church's corruption was so bad, we need to stand firm and remember if God is Love we must not be a jerk. Thanks for sharing.
Thank you for your beautiful faith and the beautiful mess. I am an ex-Catholic who prays for the wonderful humanitarian pope, go figure! I'm really a UU at heart and love all of the amazing prophets who came to help us as we struggle through the human experience. Your prayer this morning prompted me to search out the answer to how many wars are going on in our world today. The answer came up as 20 plus 4 serious conflicts. Yes, we are lucky to be one of the apparently 160 or so countries not at war. My question then is what part do we collectively do to stem this tide of violence? I think we very intentionally look to the simple message from our prophets and treat the least of these with utmost love. It's our moment by moment actions that make the difference. So I try to move from that place when I call my Senator and firmly tell them to vote NO on this CR. If my government won't support the resistance in Ukraine, then I find a way to do it myself in some small measure because I know in my heart that they are on the right side of God if you will. Then love my enemies, BUT KNOW MY ENEMIES, and throw over the money tables and kick out the merchants at the temple as Jesus did. It seems to me, based on what little I do know, that our prophets were activists. I am trying to follow their example moment by moment and your daily letters and prayers lift me up. I'm just one person but it does start with me, right? Thank you for all you do!❤️🤍💙
I don’t think God will swoop in and save humanity. I believe in social rights movements, protests, organizing, educating, developing a new, fighting leadership across the working class and allies.
I look at the lessons of the civil rights movement in the US and other leaders internationally, such as Nelson Mandela. Martin Luther King Jr., Malcom X. Both assassinated. They gave their lives as many others did.
I am not feeling wonderful in this moment because I’m distressed at the suffering that is happening and will grow…
We are the only ones that can change this.
I love all of your posts John!
I completely identify with your prayer, John. And I'm sure I'm not the only one.
I keep in mind that God did not create this pile of crap problems , people did. I pray to God that we are given the insite to lead us out of this mess. We must pay attention to what is around us and who we surround ourself with. Pray for strategy and wisdom along with protection and strength to get threw this storm. Jesus was full of action
I am a lost soul - I am struggling - I pray everyday for good to overcome the evil that has been unleashed. I feel I have forgotten how to pray to be heard. We are in the valley of the shadow of death and I do fear evil - it is surrounding us.
Good morning Teresa ❤️. It does feel oppressive out there. And John’s article helped me express my feelings too. (Thank you John)
I have been looking for the Mr.Rogers “helpers”. And you know what, they are everywhere!!! Holding doors, giving directions, answering phones, volunteering at food banks and hospitals, inviting people to join Majong groups or sewing circles or Worship services, handing out shopping carts, picking up litter on the side of the road, attending school functions and plays so the kids know we care, smiling at strangers… there are soooo many “I know how you feel” smiles out there. There are people out there doing good things!! And all these good things will smother the hate. Every moment of love is a win. Sending you some now ❤️
Thank you Cindy. I also do those acts of kindness - in hopes that I can lift someone else up - we never know who is on the brink of giving up. Today is just a dark day for me - I am struggling and your kind words are letting some light in.
Thank you! As difficult as it is to keep a loving heart, one thing I do to protect myself is not to take in much of any of this. I figure if I let myself be burnt out and discouraged, I have less energy to be there for others.
I fear evil too. I fear the monsters that are shaping how we live in the world. I fear there is no power that will set it right if it isn’t us. I fear God can’t. God can only fuel our engines and only if we allow it. But we haven’t learned to pray for that, yet.
Over the past few years I’ve really enjoyed reading your articles, John, even though I’m an atheist. I went to church off and on as a child but this was way back when the church pastor drove around neighborhoods recruiting the kids playing outdoors to come to vacation bible school. Nowadays, the pastor would probably be arrested for predatory behavior and, really, are there any kids playing outside? But I digress. So with my parents permission, I went to vacation bible school, then started going to Sunday School, culminating in a trip to a Christian summer camp where I was the victim of the meanest, cruelest group of girls I’d ever met. No more church for me. Now I can see how these so called Christians in America are as adults, and how their kids have become as adults….total hypocrites who are still just the most hateful human beings. I honestly don’t understand how people can believe there is a God when so many awful things happen to people, especially innocent children (physical abuse, sexual abuse, etc…) because why would a loving God allow these things to happen? And when I see on social media sites people saying we need to pray about the destruction of our country, I hope to hell that’s not all they are doing, because that isn’t going to get us out of this mess. I know you’re out there being active, John (another of your columns :) and I’m surely not criticizing your faith. But at the moment, I’m really seeing how you’re questioning your God. Keep up the good writing.
I am a believer in Christ. Yet, I endured many miserable years of Baptist Summer Camps, along side the snotty, arrogant, and know-it-all girls. Those were tough weeks. So, glad those days are long gone.
I cannot answer to the many mysteries of God but relative to something u mentioned in ur piece, what I have come to understand is that when humans made the choice so many years ago to have free will, we separated ourselves from our source which is God. As part of that choice God agrees to not interfere with our free will and we are constantly striving to be close and reconnect with Him. Yes He could interfere and make things right in the world but humanity needs to do our part ... I'm hopeful that we're getting closer to being able and ready for His intervention.
It is God that gave us the free will but it is up to us what we choose in this Life
Thank you for this, John. I have a feeling that God is hearing a lot of this kind of prayer these days.
My heart hurts, physically hurts, every day, for the targeted people, God’s people, each and every person on this earth who was created in the likeness of Christ Jesus Himself. Threatened by an enemy who proclaims to be a Christian. “My dear Christians” he proclaimed one day recently, and I almost threw up, even I heard him say those words. This evil man and his godless minions, are rounding up people like cattle and taking them to places they don’t want to go for fear of their lives and the llives of their children. This evil insane poor excuse for a man, claims to love everybody. And this is how he shows it? I just want Jesus to come right now!! To end this hate. To end the insanity. To judge the evil, the hatred, the suffering of human beings and torn apart families. I’ve actually prayed for an assassins bullet to find its mark on his head, but then I look at the lineup of all the evil that would be next in line and I would be praying again and again and again for yet another bullet. And my heart hurts once again. Many of us are hanging on by a thread and our only hope is in our faith in Christ Jesus and his never ending love for all who turn to Him and pray Come! Lord Jesus, Come! 🙏🏼
I've never prayed for assassin's to end this mess but it's really hard not to!! But what then?? There's so many more in line to deal with. I think every believer out there is struggling so the Bible says to confess our sins one to another - So that we might be healed. I see that happening in these columns so okay - I'm alright with that!! NOW come Jesus 👍🏾🙏🏾💯
I’ve studied history, witnessed some of it, and what I see is thousands of years of brutality. Christianity has joined in heartily in many cases. I’m old now and becoming the cynic I never wanted to be. I will run the race and fight the good fight and let my mind dwell on the whatevers, I will do the best I can to be kind, to be truthful, and to reach out and to include, which is what St Teresa said is Christ on earth, us, just us, our hands, our feet, our eyes, our hearts. Dear God, WTH, could have been our prayer since time began in every corner of the world.
But God’s just been patting our fannies and pushing us out the door and telling us to clean up our own mess. We have met the enemy and he is us; we have met the savior and he is also us.