Much of what I wrote yesterday has been in my heart for many days and months. It’s very sickening that our wonderful country is being sold down the river by some very sick individuals who have sold out our values and have lead us down a path that is littered with heartache and suffering. There is despite it all a reassurance that the bedrock values of most of the world and most of our countrymen remain unchanged. In thinking about the reaction to what I wrote and reading many other blogs I am reminded of a quote from Anne Frank, “Despite everything, I believe that people are really good at heart.” I thought too today of Vice-President Cheney and President Bush and I prayed that although I think they are very sick and misguided that there would be some redemption for them because of or in spite of all of this turmoil that they have created. A good friend of mine used to say, “don’t despise the negative.” I’m also reminded of the quote from Romans 8:28. “We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”
I heard some good news this week about one of the young men who has been in my prayers. He is home from Iraq for 15 days. I work with his Mom and Dad during the work week and every time I see them it has been a call to prayer for me. Knowing that he’s home helps me to see that some good is happening despite it all. Prayer really does work. I continue to pray for all the soldiers and the others in Iraq and Afghanistan. Every night when I retire I reflect on how blessed I am to live in a home that is surrounded by peacefulness.
Everyday I wonder how can we end this war. How can we bring our men home? I often think of Mahatma Gandhi and his spiritual program that gained Indian independence and did it peacefully. Can we dedicate ourselves to a daily period of peace? Could a common mindfulness of peace bring an end to this war. I’d be interested in any thoughts you have about how we can spiritually end this war. Peace.
Nonviolence is the law of our species
as violence is the law of the brute.
The spirit lies dormant in the brute,
and he knows no law but that of physical might.
The dignity of man requires obedience to a higher law-
to the strength of the spirit.–Mohandas Gandhi, Young India August 11, 1920