Try to make a difference

Our world lost a bright light today.
President Jimmy Carter died peacefully, age 100.
In his words, “I have one life and one chance to make it count for something. I’m free to choose what that something is, and the something I’ve chosen is my faith. Now, my faith goes beyond theology and religion and requires considerable work and effort. My faith demands—this is not optional—my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference.”

Ralph Waldo Emerson prompted us, “To know that even one life has breathed easier because you lived, this is to have succeeded.”
So, let us pause today, to honor President Carter by remembering that because of him, life is healthier, better, and safer not just for one life, but for millions.
Here’s what does my heart good; he reminded us that kindness and gentle acts of goodness really do matter. And they make a difference.
“My father was a hero, not only to me but to everyone who believes in peace, human rights, and unselfish love,” said Chip Carter, the former president’s son. “My brothers, sister, and I shared him with the rest of the world through these common beliefs. The world is our family because of the way he brought people together, and we thank you for honoring his memory by continuing to live these shared beliefs.”
Jimmy, with Rosalynn (his wife of 77 years) co-founded the Carter Center in Atlanta to promote peace, resolve conflicts and eradicate diseases. One week a year, they helped build houses for Habitat for Humanity, working on more than 4,000 homes in more than a dozen countries.

Sue Monk Kidd writes the story about her daughter, coming home from school in early December, telling her mother she got one of the great parts in the Nativity Play.
“What part did you get?”
“I’m the Star of Bethlehem!” the daughter says proudly.
“Well, what will you do?” Sue asks.
“I just stand there and shine.”
The little girl gets it. At some point, from the Star of Bethlehem to adulthood, we forget that there’s a light inside. And we obstruct that light—with restrictor plates, with fear, with a need for perfectionism, with prejudice.
I’m not sure why we’re given to this temptation or yearning to control or orchestrate or bring closure. Bottom line, we forget that this moment, as unraveled as it may be, is a fertile breeding ground to pay attention to, and to savor, the present. To be open, available and curious. To see our connection to those around us.
We are in the same human family, so let us embrace empathy. Let us be unafraid of a willingness to learn and grow and change. Let us no longer be afraid of sad or lonely. Because the ordinary is indeed the hiding place for the holy.
And with our eyes open, the ordinary becomes a place where light is spilled, and where very simple gestures make a profound difference in the world around us.
“You cannot get through a single day without having an impact on the world around you. What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” Jane Goodall encouraged us.
So, yes. We do make a difference.
And yes. Small gestures matter. Grounding us in humility and dignity and compassion.

As I was writing this Sabbath Moment, before I read the news about Carter’s passing, I read the PBS Newshour headline, “We asked the political word of the year. Overwhelmingly, the choice was ‘exhaustion’.”
No surprise there.
On my walk early this morning, in my talk with the geese, I told them how 2024 is coming to close, and how there’s too much to unpack, and so much that has been mentally unnerving, and how sometimes, I don’t have the words. I tell them that there were times when I was depleting tired in my spirit, and that’s never easy to admit.
All of this to say that I am so very grateful I could spend a good bit of time in the garden today. It’s the place where I feel most at home. Replenishment indeed.
Taking delight in the evergreen Viburnum ‘Spring Bouquet’ shrubs, now with clusters of graceful, star-shaped, pink budded flowers.
And the golden yellow blossoms on our winter-flowered Jasmine (in Chinese the name translates, “the flower that welcomes Spring”).
And new daffodil shoots, just breaking the soil. My Oh My.
So. Today a good day to put down my to-do lists. Today, I let the garden be my teacher, to let my mind rest. Tonight, I’m settled in my living room. A fire in the fireplace (propane in this house), with a good book for company (this year’s pile featured favorites, Uncertain, Maggie Jackson, The Amen Effect, Sharon Brous, Sacred Self-Care, Dr. Chanequa Walker Barnes, Black Liturgies, Cole Arthur Riley, Dancing in the Darkness, Otis Moss, Losing my Religion, William Lobdell, One Long River of Song, Brian Doyle).

Thank you Jimmy Carter for spilling your light and making a difference. Rest in Peace. And let’s give Dan Rather the last word, “Today we celebrate a life of service and mourn a leader who tried his best. He loved this nation. He cared for this world with unbounded empathy and heart. We are all better because he served. His was a life well lived.”

Thank you, my friends, for walking this journey with together in 2024. Onward walking each other home. And a blessed New Year to you all…
“and a dram to warm the piper…
Here’s a dram to warm the hall
Here’s a dram to raise the rafters
And here’s long life to you all.”

Quote for your week…
“The bond of our common humanity is stronger than the divisiveness of our fears and prejudices.” Jimmy Carter’s closing remarks during Nobel Peace Prize address

BULLETIN BOARD

Today’s Photo Credit: Getting ready to watch the sun set on another year. This one with friends in Manasota Key, Florida… And thank you to all, I love your photos… please, keep sending them… send to terryhershey.com 

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Audio, oldie but goodie– The light of grace
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Letters that do my heart good…
–Terry, I just wanted to let you know you have inspired me. I am going to do the Camino – it has been on my bucket list for years, and the Lord willing it will happen this coming year. I am 75 but fit and it’s now or never.  Thank you for awakening that spark. I’m hoping some of my children will join me, but if not I have a couple friends who are up for anything. Good to have in your later years. And you inspire me pretty much daily (must confess sometimes I get busy but you understand I’m sure – haha). Thank you for your gentle daily reminders. Joyce
–Hola Peregrino. At age 84 I still fantasize doing at least some of the Camino. For the moment I will have to be content making the trek vicariously as I have for some years now. With Paul. With Martin Sheen. With Annie O’Neil and several others, walking alone, walking together, walking within (as Rilke put it: the only journey is the one within)… limping, longing, laughing. Go well pilgrim. Buen Camino, Richard
–Terry, we need more Thomas Mertons! Oh, and thank YOU for being a prophet of peace, joy, spiritual centeredness! Spell Check says that’s not a word, but I’ve been getting more centered spiritually since knowing you, so I’m sticking with it! Sheila
–Thank you for posting my picture. I love God’s beautiful creation. Thank you for your inspiring stories, quotes and prayers. Look forward to another year of joyful mindfulness. God bless, Toni
–I enjoy your daily reflections. They start my day. Blessings and peace, Sr. Joye
–We’re grateful for your daily help on life’s journey. Lane
–Dear Terry, A Blessed Christmas to you and yours. Will pray specially for you that God will Continue to bless you in all you do for us. Yours is the first email I open every morning It gives me strength & hope for the day. Merry Christmas! Please pray for those who have lost loved ones in the last couple of weeks. It is so hard for them. Thank you. Mary
–I thank God for you and all you have said and done for each of us, to grow deeper
in His love. You are the “GIFT” He has chosen to give us. Through you, we realize,
that each of are needed to walk each other home. God bless you always. Happy, healthy and holy New Year 2025 to you and all those you love. Elaine
–Thanks Terry, your reflections are always the food my soul needs that day. I followed your Camino journey that brought so many memories of my time in Compostela on my own–very short–Camino journey many years ago while visiting my family in Spain. Truly we are not on this journey alone! Thank You, Thank You, may God continue to bless you daily! Mercedes
–Dear Terry, Thank you for the gift of you through your words and stories and the sharing of vulnerability. You are gift! May wonder, awe and love wrap around you with a few boxes filled with hugs. Merry Christmas, Linda