On Focusing On Our Freedom(s).
Today as we worry about deadlines and weekend activities, we must
pause to remember those who are fighting to ensure our freedoms to
do these 'normal' things we take for granted.
Those of us who have never risked our lives for these freedoms owe
an extra debt of gratitude, of honor, of service here at home, to these
brave women and men.
I pray for our military, staffed with men and women who have
families right next door to us.
I pray for their safety.
I pray for their future selves as we have seen the ravages to their
bodies and souls years later through PTSD and chronic illnesses.
I pray for the innocent men, women and children of Afghanistan.
Their freedoms, their way of life, their hope and their lives are at
stake.
I pray for leadership across all parties and countries to stand up and
take care of our people and the countries where we intervene.
Please do the best you can.
Please do better than what we have witnessed since this war began.
I pray for us that we collectively slow down and realize how fragile
this fabric of freedom can be.
When I look at the women in Afghanistan who used to move freely
in clothes we wear, getting their education, having a career...being
an individual untethered, unbothered by religious oppression...my
heart breaks and I am concerned that we forget too quickly, too
easily.
Today, people are running for their lives. Leaving everything behind
to start somewhere unknown, where they may even be seen as
unwanted.
Today, we have lost at least a dozen members of our military. They
were known, loved, beloved. And brave. Found worthy and never to
be forgotten.
And then this:
Today, we are wrapping up a busy work week.
Even contemplating a long holiday weekend next week.
Flying flags isn't what makes us patriotic. Nor is noisy rhetoric.
How we live with our neighbors, support each other and our
military and live our daily lives with gratitude, kindness, generosity
and care for others does.
Please be well, friends.
And please do send your thoughts, prayers, resources to the
humanitarian effort in Afghanistan.
Please pray for our soldiers and their families. We grieve their loss
together.
And please, please join me in finding one thing you can do for a
friend or neighbor this 'busy' Friday. This busy-ness of ours is all
relative, right?
Wishing you and your family safety, kindness, mercy and freedom to
choose all of these this weekend.