Finding Our “Bearings”

I can’t help but notice that it seems like the whole world has gone “mad” recently. I don’t mean “crazy” mad, I mean “mad” mad. I get it. There’s plenty to be upset about. But I don’t think the kind of anger I’m seeing leads to anyplace that’s good, because it seems to be turning us against each other.

I’m a peace lover. I love gentle words spoken in soothing tones over a slice of pie and a mug of hot coffee. In times like this, when there are so many issues and so many voices arguing SO LOUDLY with so much venom, I feel like a little girl – trapped while the adults fight at the dinner table. I want to cover my ears and be excused. What can I do to fix ANY of this? I am just one little girl.

But then I remember.

I am one little girl

Who knows the Great, Big God.

So I am looking to Him for the answers -for direction on what to do, and what to say. (And also what not to say.)

He says

“Love one another as I have loved you.”

“Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

“Feed My sheep.”

“Bear one another’s burdens.”

None of us (on our own) has what it takes to fix all that is wrong. But we can each do something. Let’s find our “bearings” – our ways to bear another’s burdens.

This week, Rob and I had the honor of caring for a very young child through Safe Families – a movement that offers temporary housing to children whose parents are in distress. The little guy who stayed with us has been hosted by some friends for several weeks. They needed to go out of town, so we got to keep him for a few nights. It was an easy thing to do, but what a balm to my soul to get to do it!

I’m seeing you bear burdens, too.

Your actions are speaking to my heart and overshadowing the harsh words I’ve heard and read lately. I am watching you and you are giving me hope. You are taking time to share smiles and kind words with strangers. You are showing love to children who need your help with both school lessons and life lessons. You are supplying hungry children with food to eat over the weekend. You are offering ears to listen and shoulders to cry on to people who are scared and hurting. You are preparing meals to ease the strain on families dealing with illness or grief or poverty. You are standing hand-in-hand and side-by-side with those who cannot stand on their own. You are using your strong voices to speak the words that need to be said in the places where it will do the most good.

We’ve got this, people! Let’s remember how much we love each other. Let’s remember that it is Love that has the power to overcome. Let’s stay at the table together until it is time for pie.