Darkness is not prevailing Covid 19 fell like an avalanche wiping out practices of life as we knew them. Racial unrest surged— the dam broke:its torrents of pain and violence carving tortuous new paths through community. Brick and mortar rubble: fires and tornadoes, and air-sucking anxieties darkened the atmosphere. But darkness is not prevailing. Real people unfolded wallets and schedules from their safety nests the kindling of kindness burgeoning in their chests as match to wick kindness set candles of compassion aglow in the darkness - like question marks. Kindness is the middle child sweetness by which the Spirit of Holiness tutors us in how to live and grow hemmed in, yet disconnected from one another Middle child in the house down the street kissed the Stone called Selflessness, and asked Mommy, how can I help? Nickels and dimes gleam in the grand scheme of things winging like iridescent butterflies. Hidden neighbors, hungry for righteousness (it's taste not wholly familiar) felt the palpable thirst of colored skin and asked the Keeper of the storehouses of snow and hail, Won't you fill the deep racial crevasse? Shovel in hand, Won't you fill...? A stick cross middles the hill marginalized outside of town; outside of belonging or protective walls, outside of resources. A lone transceiver picks up the signal of hearts in distress. Kindness kindles Compassion roars into flame - jumps another crevasse. It is finished. We are the embers of this eternal flame from which hope is born, and reborn Kindling of kindness finding the margins—Hope is reborn. jfig 10/2020 Often we feel marginalized, either in our distress; or in our ability to help. I've experienced both this week, my energy dampened by weariness and discouragement. When I sent out a quiet distress signal, asking people for help, it was the small measures offered with kindness, that made a huge difference and reset my outlook. An email saying I am praying for you, a shared moment of laughter, a flower intentionally put in my hand and another gently taken from it all pulled me back from the brink of despair, and filled me with both gratitude and hope. There was some chocolate, too. But since it is still in the wrapper, it was the kindness of the gesture and NOT the chocolate that made my heart happy. We are all on journey, some aspects long and wearying, others glorious and exciting. You may get to travel only a short leg with someone. Remember the kindling. Another's matches may be all wet. Ephesians 2:4-7 says that God gifts to us the riches of his mercy and grace...in kindness toward us through Jesus Christ. Lord Jesus, might we, by the power and leading of the Holy Spirit, celebrate and emulate God's gifting of kindness toward us, and thereby become couriers of his mercy and grace. Amen
Roasted Words 