It is better to light a candle

“It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” Thank you, Eleanor Roosevelt.
Please count me in. I’m definitely in favor.
And yet, I do wonder how (and even if) it is possible—to spill light, or to make a difference, in a world that feels fragmented and unreceptive.
I am so grateful for stories where someone chooses—takes the risk—to light a candle. So, I take heart in Just Mercy (both the book and the movie version), the story of young lawyer Bryan Stevenson and his history-making battle for justice. After graduating from Harvard, Bryan had his pick of lucrative jobs. Instead, he heads to Alabama to defend those wrongly condemned or who were not afforded proper representation, with the support of local advocate Eva Ansley. One of his first, and most incendiary, cases is that of Walter McMillian, who, in 1987, was sentenced to die for the notorious murder of an 18-year-old girl, despite a preponderance of evidence proving his innocence and the fact that the only testimony against him came from a criminal with a motive to lie. In the years that follow, Bryan becomes embroiled in a labyrinth of legal and political maneuverings and overt and unabashed racism as he fights for Walter, and others like him, with the odds-and the system-stacked against them.
There’s a great scene where Bryan says to his worried Mother, “You taught me to fight for the people that need help the most.”
Yes. And Amen.
Because some stories are too heavy to carry alone.
As a young pastor, I would ask people to be involved with certain ministries—many having to do with real life trauma, supporting people and finding a place for healing, and community, and redemption. It can be very messy work. And many, who found healing in these gatherings themselves, would answer, “I’d love to be involved, but I’m sorry I can’t. I’m not even remotely qualified.”
And my answer, “Good, then you’re perfect for the job.”
Here’s the deal: Skill sets are one thing. We can teach them. And procedures and protocols can be learned (and in too many cases in church, they can be happily unlearned).
But a whole heart,
…an honest awareness and admission to know sorrow in your heart,
…to know what it means to be “a lost sheep”
…a willingness to set down the moniker of “expert”
…and the encouragement to say, “Please let me carry you,” is enough.
It so easy to be unnerved by life’s heaviness.
And speaking of being the “one lost sheep”, that gospel story would make more sense if there had been a wolf. You know, a place to find an enemy and channel the energy of domination and the tactics of war. No wonder the tsunami of information (and social media buzz) distracts and overwhelms. It is easy to react (taking sides before I try to listen and understand). The tsunami wins. And it drowns my voice; which means I can’t hear the good news, meaning the truth that I still have a role to play.
“To bring about change, you must not be afraid to take the first step. We will fail when we fail to try.” (Thank you Rosa Parks)
We’re afraid to let “try” be our first step.
And we’re afraid to let “fail” be our second step.
And because of that, we never see the joy of lighting candles. Or of finding lost sheep and carrying them home.
Let us consider how easily we are affected by Scotoma (a kind of selective blindness). In other words, we see only what we want to see. Meaning it is no surprise that we miss embracing the capacity we have for spilling light. And we give way to the narrative (the weight) that makes us doubt goodness, or our gift to be places of healing mercy that really do make a difference. And such a narrative wins where there is a proclivity to downplay any role we have. To wonder what (or if) we can do. Even convinced, “But I have nothing to give.”
Gratefully, when I see and acknowledge (and embrace) my capacity to light a candle, there’s a restorative paradigm shift. I begin to see connections or relationships as places where empathy and compassion and healing and restoration are alive and well.
I am grateful for this from John Powell. “There’s a South African word called Sawubona, which means, I see you. The word is also sometimes interpreted as the God in me, sees the God in you. Bridging is seeing the other person. So it doesn’t mean you agree with the person. Doesn’t mean you change your mind or they change your mind. But you see their humanity, you see their value, and you’re resolutely willing to open up and just listen, empathetic listening, compassionate listening…
One approach is to try to persuade the person to come to your side. Another is to avoid the person. Bridging is neither of those. Bridging is saying, I want to connect with the other person. Bridging is saying, I’m curious. Bridging involves connecting at the heart level, as well as the head level. So it’s really being present with someone.”
Yes. It is better to light a candle.
It is better to build a bridge.
Let’s carry this reminder from L.R. Knost with us into our week, “Here’s to the bridge-builders, the hand-holders, the light-bringers, those extraordinary souls wrapped in ordinary lives who quietly weave threads of humanity into an inhumane world. They are the unsung heroes in a world at war with itself. They are the whisperers of hope that peace is possible. Look for them in this present darkness. Light your candle with their flame. And then go. Build bridges. Hold hands. Bring light to a dark and desperate world. Be the hero you are looking for. Peace is possible. It begins with us.”
Thank you for all your well wishes regarding my health. I am on the mend. And grateful for each day. And learning that this past month has been a not fun health month for many. Stay hydrated. Find rest. And savor the time to replenish. It’s not easy to give yourself the self-care needed to heal.
And savor the moments. Like the gift of sunrise yesterday, the horizon a spellbinding and enthralling burnt Sienna. My Oh My.
Quote for our week…
“It is better to light a candle than curse the darkness.” Eleanor Roosevelt
BULLETIN BOARD
Today’s Photo Credit: “Dear Terry, I chose Willow, Alaska to experience a dog sledding ride. What a grand adventure! This was the road into the adventure. Anticipation is just as amazing as the destination! Just like life should be. Today in the Cathedral in Anchorage the Priest referred to Life with a capital L; it’s my new philosophy. Thank you for shepherding us through Life with a capital ‘L’. Here is the destination photo….God even added His Sun/Son. God is good”, Marguerite Gertontis… Thank you Marguerite… And thank you to all, I love your photos… please, keep sending them… send to terryhershey.com
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Letters that do my heart good…
–Hi Terry, Happy New Year! Looking forward to seeing you and hearing you again in Anaheim at the RECongress. Blessings on your life and all the good that you do and for who you are. See you soon. Deacon Jerry
–Terry, You always seem to know what I need to hear and reflect on. Today quotes from my heroes! It reminds me of who I am and need to be. Always grateful! Fran
–Continuing to give thanks for the goodness your email brings each day; hope today will be good also for you. Cathy
–A powerful SM this morning: Ed’s song, the Talmud, the sheep. Holding you close in prayer that you’ll soon be 100% healthy! Take good care! Fran
–Good morning, Terry, I so appreciated today’s Sabbath Moment. And just so you know and embrace that, You are a story of love and that is where your light spills. Just so you know. Linda
–Good morning, Terry! I just read today’s Sabbath moment with the story “Note: The Snake story is adapted from a version by Ann Herbert” And I am so filled with joy to hear something that makes me feel just a bit less ‘alone’ in my feelings about the Garden and how it went, back in the day! Then you followed up with how being childlike is something Jesus asks of us, and I grin with joy! At 71 I have come to know the power of simplicity and allowing wonder to fill my days (and believe me, it was a tough journey to get here!) But I find myself joining more often with my friends at the Casa in ministries that simply allow me to ‘be me’! Thanks for your support to all of us (yourself included) in being just who God created us to be at any time in our lives! Many blessings, peace and joy, Barbara