Dear friends,
I woke up this morning feeling shaky, exhausted, and discouraged. It is so painful to be in this time of waiting, this time when we sense the danger to our democracy. It is sobering to see so clearly how deeply divided our nation is. Whatever happens next, the work of healing that lies ahead feels overwhelming.
Hoping for something light-hearted to lift my spirits this morning, I rooted through my T-shirt drawer. The shirt I pulled out isn’t light-hearted. It is exactly what I need to wear today. It says “Love Conquers Hate.”
There it is: the heart of our Easter faith, the heart of our challenge today as people of faith. Jesus came into this world in a time and a place where hate and fear and abuse of power were as rampant as they are today. He proclaimed good news: the realm of God’s love is breaking in. No other realm, no other empire, no other power can stop it. He lived this good news, healing people, touching those who were outcast, bringing enemies together around a table. Hate and even death could not defeat the power of this kin-dom of love.
Right now, today, it is hard to see how love conquers hate. It is tempting to conclude that hate is the victor. Instead, I put on my t-shirt as a choice to trust that love is more powerful, even when I can’t see it. I put on my t-shirt to wake me up to the power of love at work. I put on my t-shirt as a statement (to myself) of my commitment to live based on the conviction that love conquers hate. For when we live that conviction, when we choose to act in love in the face of hate, it become true. Love conquers hate.
My t-shirt is helping me today. What is helping you to hold fast to hope? Whose words or acts of kindness awaken you to the power of love? What mustard seed can you plant? What music can stir your soul to joy?
Be gentle with yourselves in these coming days. Reach out to a friend. Listen to music. Bake bread. Write letters. Show up to vigils. Meditate. Pray. Eat healthy, tasty food. Hold fast to the truth we all seek to believe: Love conquers hate. The kin-dom of God is breaking in, and you are part of it.
Peace, Debbie