I remember leading a prayer for the lives of two babies. Although it was decades ago, a recent picture took me back to the moment. At that time, nothing was certain except uncertainty. The doubts of each parent was tangible. We were powerless to defend ourselves against the smell of fear invading our souls.
I look back at my confidence in wonder. I believed God passionately cared for every individual. This care takes on extra intensity and action when it comes to children. In that belief, I was confident that I had ever right and reason to pray on their behalf.
As I think of tragedies in my community, in our world, I realize that I am numb. It is hard to deal with the pain and anguish that never seems to leave. The spectrum of hurt we inflict on each other is endless! We see and lament when the visible cannot be denied. Yet in the small slights of life there is additional toll taken from your life as well as the lives of everyone in our community. We seem to care yet we do not act, we cry and comfort yet we let evil to continue its course of action.
My resolution is the following.
I will care deeply with action. To one who is hurt, I aspire to be a comforter. To one who hurts, I aspire to be a responder.
I will work to repair and restore my soul. I need to be available for my first resolution – ready and able to act. Based on a spirit of reverencing truth and love, I will embrace the promise that God feels my need and responds. In this I will hold the psalmist’s words close to my heart; “As parents feel for their children, God feels for those who fear him.” (Psalm 103.13)
I will act to eliminate the sources of injustice and voids of hope. Jobs can be the answer to poverty and despair. Compassion can create opportunities to see and reach for more. Love can have legs, eyes, ears, and a voice.
