A few post-inauguration thoughts
+ my word for the year, a zillion links, and a little about love in the Hebrew Bible.
I’ve been wondering all week what I might put out into the world in regard to the inauguration. I didn’t watch, and have kept my news intake pretty minimal —but I wanted to write something.
In case I wasn’t clear after the election last fall1, things did not turn out how I had hoped (to put it very very mildly). In spite of my disappointment, I wrote this in November:
This [time around] I’ve chosen a different approach. I’ve reminded myself that the scrolling and spiraling keep me from the good work I am already doing. I haven’t turned my head entirely … but this year, I refuse to lose myself in the hopelessness. I won’t lose sight of the good that already is.
On Monday, I took my own advice. Instead of dwelling on what was happening in D.C. I focused my energy on what was happening all around me. I gave my attention to what I can control and the good that already is. My family and I watched Martin Luther King’s I Have a Dream Speech2, we read aloud together3, we volunteered at a food bank, I text friends and church members to check in, and we colored coloring pages with quotes from MLK. I ate 3 meals, took a chilly walk, and tucked kids into bed. In some ways, it wasn’t all that different from any other day. I took the next step and then the next.
Yesterday in class, my professor (a Harvard educated biblicist4) reminded us that Love in Hebrew is never just an emotion. She said something like: you can’t love God by thinking nicely about God. There is always action involved.
And I think thats our move. To go beyond thinking nicely (or more likely, not so nicely) to taking the next step, and then the next. We can focus on the good that already is, but there is also work to be done.
This brings me to my word for the year. Spoiler alert! It’s as phrase! I couldn’t quite settle on a word — several came to mind: clarity, experiment, and embrace were all in the running, but what I’ve landed on is: what is mine to do5?
I’ll have more thoughts on my phrase in the coming months, but I want to encourage you to roll it around in your head this week. When it comes to resistance, or loving your neighbor (with actions!) — what is yours to do? We’ve named what is good, and now it’s time to ask — what is my next step? What is mine to do?
I’m finding that inspiration is coming from many directions. So I’m going to leave you with some quotes and links to stories that have been inspiring to me, as well as a few actionable items. My hope is that they will feel like a jump start for your discernment in figuring out your next step:
First a reminder — your next step doesn’t have to be big — it can be checking in on a sick neighbor, volunteering at the book fair, hugging your kids, buying Girl Scout cookies, donating blankets to a shelter, or making small talk with the cashier. It all matters. (Tip: I sometimes need to add things like: send a card to Aunt Jan, check on Sara, or thank Ms. Joyner to my to-do list)
Barbara Brown Taylor wrote about Guinea Fowl and the importance of unity here. I think you’ll feel inspired by her short reflection.
One pastor friend reminded me (as he’d reminded his kids after the election) — the results don’t change who we are. We can still people who are doing our best to love our neighbors.
My friend Ashley6 is a pastor at a church down the road from us, and they open their doors as a cold weather shelter when the temps reach below freezing. As she says in the article linked above: We do this because as followers of Christ we are called to love our neighbor, and shelter those without a home, feed the hungry, and clothe the naked, out of love. (There is that word again, it’s not enough to just think nice thoughts about those in need.)
I doubt you missed it, but as a pastor and a preacher (and a person!), I was deeply moved by Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s homily on Monday. If you only caught clips or the last 3 minutes, I highly recommend watching the full sermon. It’s only 15 minutes, and definitely worth your time.
One thing I feel certain is mine to do, is to speak out about gun violence in America. I wrote about it last fall in this post, and included several actionable steps you can take to get involved! I plan to attend a rally at the Texas state capitol in February and would love for you to join if you’re local.
If you need to feel better about the amount of money you spend at Costco on packaged snacks and sparkling water — you’re welcome. (and also, Go Costco!)
Read books to kids you love! Here are a few about loving your neighbor: Extra Yarn, Maybe God is Like That Too, and Something Someday.
Alongside you,
Holly
Go out into the morning and sing - November 5, 2024
You Tube link! You don’t have to watch only on MLK day, I’d also recommend reading Letter from a Birmingham Jail, and we love this beautiful picture book about Martin Luther King jr. from Kadir Nelson
We are currently reading: The Eyes and The Impossible by Dave Eggers (my amazing SIL gifts Newberry winners to my kids for Christmas each year and this one has been a big hit!)
I originally heard this idea on Suzanne Stabile’s podcast about the Enneagram — though many others have written about it as well.
Ashley wrote for my Lent series last year: Beloved Baptism