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International news headlines always come to me in full color and with surround sound. I attribute this to the fact that I grew up in another country.  I hear on the news about Syria, and I see a child, half-clothed, running, lost and scared, mouth wide with fear, eyes wild, confused, choking down snot, dripping tears, tripping ‘cross potholes dotting dusty streets, and wondering. Where’s mommy? Where is she? Where did she go? The child’s fear of abandonment having indeed become his reality. I see mother’s rocking dead children, cradling them desperately, wrestling time itself. If only. If only. I would have protected you with my very body, my own life, little one. If only. I see spouses helplessly seething, beholding in agonized helplessness their beloved’s beautiful bodies being pillaged, plundered. I am yours and you are mine. I, me, you, us. It isn’t enough. It’s. Not. Enough!!!! I see family’s leaving homes which once felt cozy and safe in great haste, wondering whether they will ever again find such an abode, knowing that if, in the off chance they do, their deepest selves have been uprooted so as to never rest, really rest, again. Home is gone. Rest is gone. I am displaced, alone. I tell my children bits and pieces. They must know. They must know this world is not safe, easy or just for so many. They must know the privilege they have been born into. They must be inspired and moved and indeed unsettled. To whom much is given, children. And the questions come. What can we do? Indeed, friends, what can we do? We can refuse to live in fear. We can step outside of our pet politics and our favored political parties and SEE the real people behind every press release. We can let our hearts break. We can refuse to remain ignorant. Research, friends. Read articles from a variety of news outlets. Do not let your hearts harden. Keep an open mind. We can enlighten those around us. We can volunteer and give. I won’t even pretend I’m an expert on world events or humanitarian crises. I won’t pretend I’ve done a great job of giving or volunteering. But I refuse to let my own faults and shortcomings keep me from writing my heart. Every little bit of good we do is worth it. Love matters. Compassion matters. I’ve been convicted of late as a light has been shone on my desire, indeed lust for, safety, security and peace. Have a listen to these podcasts:
Looking Through A Lens of Compassion It’s deeply ingrained within my crusty American heart to store up wealth for my future, for those “just in case” moments. Not to mention that I just love a good shopping trip; the feeling of carrying armfuls of bountiful plenty home is intoxicating and as good as any drug. But, am I called to love money and security? Is my spirituality to be measured in how much I have, in how good a steward I’ve been whilst doling out my monthly 10%? Long have I pondered the Parable of the Talents (Matthew 25: 14-30), because upon first reading it, it made no sense. I could not understand why the servant who had been given one talent and then buried it (in order to save it for his Master) would be so harshly condemned. Hadn’t he been careful with the money he was given? At least he did not go out and squander it, right? And why were the servants who took risks with the money they’d been given praised? Why does the parable describe the Master in this way: “[...] a hard man, reaping where you did not sow, and gathering where you scattered no seed [...]”, considering the Master seems to be a depiction of Jesus? The parable indicates that it was right to take risks with the money because of the qualities of the Master (mentioned above). I’m sure there are a myriad of deep meanings to this parable, and that I am only skimming the surface, but here’s what occurs to me as I ponder it:
I’m pretty sure this means I need to step out of the way and let my heart soften. I need to let go of the fear which encourages me to hoard safety and security, abundance and fun. I can do this because I am part of a kingdom that doesn’t value wealth or power or hoarding. It values growth and giving, risk-taking and fearlessness. I confess that even writing these words terrifies me. I know them to be true. I know it, deep in my bones. But I’m afraid. If I let my heart soften, what will God ask of me? In the stillness and dust which settles in the wake of that messy question, there hangs this portrait of abundance, multiplication. And I’m simply sure I’m supposed to show up every day, whatever that means, with a soft and tender heart, unafraid. In the wise words of Anne Lamott, “If you give freely, there will always be more.”
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