Racism, hate, and discrimination are all learned from the example of adults who show these attitudes. Children don’t think about skin color or ethnic roots. They just see one another as God sees us, full of love and acceptance. Perhaps adults could learn a lesson from their children.
Somewhere amid the rules and regulations
The desire for correctness
The literal interpretation…. Underneath it all we hope to find God
Buried in the guilt and shame
Of imperfection // fallenness
We lie…
Controlled by our fears
Manipulated by our insecurities Underneath it all we hope to find God
In creeds and sacraments of blood and wine
In stories of suffering // blessing // and chosenness `
We struggle to make right our wrongs
Knowing that… Underneath it all we hope to find God
Our prayers ascend on wings of faith
Hoping to find an opiate for our pain
A clearing and focused mind
That can see and feel that… Underneath it all we hope to find God
We open our heart to redeeming grace
Finally realizing // it’s not what we do
Not what we say verbosely to others
It is in forgiving others // and ourselves
That we find love and acceptance And underneath it all we find God
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Photo: Dwight L. Roth
Stain glass window from the WUM Church in Weddington, NC
Christmas is not about
Angels
Christmas is not about
Wise men
Mary and Joseph
Baby
In a manger, cold
Not about Santa
Coming
Nor gifts or presents
Wrapped tight
Not shining bright lights
At night
Christmas is our sign
His love
Permeating Love
Filling
A universal void
Our hearts
Filled by the great I AM
Above you see a para-snowboarder with a prosthetic leg compete in the World Cup doing the same jumps as those who have two good legs. Every day I read wonderful poetry and see photography from many of you, who share that you are overcoming your disabilities through writing or photography. Stereotypes and stigmas are fading as we learn to see the abilities in people rather than disabilities. It is a beautiful thing to see what is being accomplished. Today on Public Television, I watched a tribute to Mr. Rogers who shared with children that people who have disabilities also have great ability. This poem was inspired as I watched that show.
In 1967, when I was in college, a group called the Youngbloods recorded a hit song with the lyrics Let’s Get Together and Love One Another Right Now… It came out just as the Viet Nam war was ramping up. A call to peace and love, it was a reflection of the flower child generation of the day. I saw on TV that there is a commercial that is using this song as a musical backdrop. The words are wonderful, but as you can see we still have not gotten the message. This poem reflects this same sentiment. Listen to the song at the end of the poem.
Utopia
Think how great our world would be
If we supported one another more
And left the criticism at home
As we go out the door
Think how great our country would be
If we prayed for our president more
Seeking wisdom, guidance, and freedom from war
Where congress works for the people they serve
Instead of special interests making deals on the curb
Think how great our world would be
If people of all faiths could finally agree
Where those who believe differently
Embrace one another and agree to disagree
Listening to one another without controversy
Think how great our world would be
How much less stress we all would carry
If the networks broadcasted the good people do
Instead of murders killers and political brew
Think how much better the world would be
If following the Golden Rule was our creed
Loving one another with God’s love and forgiveness
Treating our brothers with care and acceptance
We all know this is only a dream
Our dangerous world sometimes makes us scream
But it is nice to think about, if only for a moment
We just passed Reformation Sunday celebrating Martin Luther’s courageous challenge of the Catholic Church. He believed that our faith not our religious works are what make us right with God. He brought a new perspective to God’s grace in our life. We come to God in our brokenness and find restoration, wholeness, and a renewed relationship. As a result, the Protestant Reformation emerged and continues to this day. This is a tribute to our brokenness and God’s grace!
