I have been processing so much: the immigration/refugee situation, white majority, a division of We the People, a life-changing conference.
Hubs has been the main sounding board, as working full time does not warrant hour-long walks at the Y with heart friends. Nor does it lend itself to musings over mochas. But it does allow for school lunches and wiping noses and laughing out loud more times a day than I have in years. I love the exhausting – sometimes frustrating, always entertaining – work of being at our boys’ school.
Something I’ve been thinking about our current political climate and this administration relates to parenting. One side effect of being a parent for 9 years is the instinct to reward ridiculous behavior with no attention. Unfortunately, we cannot ignore what is in front of us. It looms darker and heavier each week.
So it seems the answer is not to ignore. But remain kind and brave. To speak up and speak out and make phone calls and learn more about our Constitution. I’ve never wished I was more versed in what the law of our nation says.
We ask for the refugee and elevate the voices of those to whom none of this is new. We read blog posts, yes, but also (slightly less biased?) news articles. And fully published books. These feel foreign to me lately and that I want that to change.
But you know what else we do? We unplug our phones and snuggle our people. We eat a late breakfast and drink tea with friends. We remain open to our neighbors and coworkers because His strength in us is bigger than our need for some quiet. But we take that quiet time. We guard it zealously when necessary. We get out our cameras and recapture hope in images and life in moments. We paint or write or draw or build as God made us to do. We cheerfully give and fire our perfectionism and get a pedicure. Because no one has the right to take away our joy. No one can take away the Joy.
I’ve been hoping to have deep and insightful paths appear before me lately. But instead I’m doing the next right thing rather than allowing the huge picture to overwhelm. These days that gets me nowhere and we’ve got places to go, don’t we? Besides, “after obedience, the courage was waiting for me.” So let’s obey whatever that looks like for you today.
And together on our President’s Day? Let’s remember all the good that has happened on this soil and the ones who led. But let’s not pretend it has always been a dream. Especially for those on whom we built this dream. I hope we remember and repent, love and listen anew today. There is hope, but hope comes from things yet seen. We the People are not where we need to be, but we can choose to move that direction.
Help us, LORD.