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Seeking peace and experiencing mercy
Jake Morrill observes not only Veterans’ Day, but also Armistice Day.
As well as fully funding Veterans’ benefits and services, one way our country can truly honor Veterans, and to keep Service-members out of harm’s way, is to remember the cost of war and do our utmost to pursue and uphold conditions of lasting peace. (Facebook, November 11)
Jordinn Nelson Long expects outrage, and experiences mercy.
I cut the man off
In traffic on the bridge
an accidental affront
too fast for take backs.His hand lifts from the wheel . . . .
Palm out
Pledge oath greeting surrender
And waves. (Facebook, November 11)
These trying times
Liz Stephens has noticed something recently about her reactions to stress.
As a woman and a survivor of sexual assault, when there is a big, awful thing going on in my personal or professional life or a major story in the public sphere related to toxic masculinity/patriarchy/misogyny, I have less grace and patience as I deal with the small, day-to-day micro-aggressions. . . . [As] a PSA to my cis-male friends, when there is a big, awful thing going on in the life of someone you care about, it might be a good idea to step up your game. (Facebook, November 14)
Kimberley Debus writes a love letter to her colleagues, commiserating with their exhaustion.
My oh my, you know it just don’t stop. . . . It’s only November, and already our colleagues – from ministers to religious educators to music directors to admins/communications/membership professionals – are bone tired. We’re bone tired the way we didn’t get until February last year, the way we didn’t get until April the year before, the way we didn’t get until May the year before that. . . .
I’m not sure I have many answers for what we can do, but I think I have at least some idea why.
The world is exhausting. (Notes from the Far Fringe, November 14)
John Beckett urges us to rise to the challenge of the next decade.
The 1920s were not a decade of non-stop party and fun, particularly for those who weren’t young, rich, and white. The 2020s won’t be either.
But I hope that when 2120 arrives and people look back to us, what they find is inspiring.
And if it’s also fun and beautiful and maybe a bit whimsical, so much the better. (Under the Ancient Oaks, November 12)
Humility and generosity
Lynn Ungar is thankful for the generous gifts of apples and pomegranates—and wishes there were more generosity in the world.
Imagine what our country would be like if the wealthy had the same instincts around money that so many people have around home-grown produce. (Facebook, November 12)
Sarah Stewart writes that “Being a beginner comes with a healthy dose of humility.”
God speaks to us not through our expertise but through our humility, as clearly to a young child as to the most successful adult. Openness and acceptance helps us to hear the spirit whispering in our ears. (Facebook, November 12)