I am the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen.
As I’ve watched the chaos occurring in the world today I’ve found myself pondering and wondering what the heck is going on. I honestly question people’s ability to demonstrate empathy and compassion. I wonder aloud will it ever get better. Right now, it doesn’t look like it ever will. But then I did something that I oftentimes resist. I got quiet, put the phone down and turned inward. I desperately wanted, needed to hear something from God. I needed to know that everything was going to be alright, that my Husband, Father, Brother, Nephews and Daughters would all be alright. The psychological turmoil and angst occurring within me was swirling into anger. Which by the way is not the problem. Anger in itself is not the problem what I do with it is where things get tricky. Each of us have the obligation to do something with the anger we feel. We should be motivated to action. It pricks something in us to do something different. Whether that is to work on or let go of relationships that no longer serve us. Should we change professions, start a business, become a local activist, what in the world should we do. Our angst and anger should move us to say something, to do SOMETHING. However, our movement should be led by quiet reflection and sheer determination. You need quiet to gain clarity. I need quiet to gain clarity. Being strategic in how you respond and dole out righteous indignation, requires one, me, to take at a minimum of 5 minutes to gain focus on what I should do next. And for me that generally starts with an intentional search for quiet.
Quiet I needed so quiet I found…by retreating to my quiet place, the bathroom. Don’t lie, you know that’s where you hide too. I told (Ok, screamed at) my kids beating down the door, “I NEED PRIVACY GO PLAY FOR 5 MINUTES, PLEASE!!!! I was committed to having quiet no matter what even if I was barricading the bathroom door and screaming like a crazy woman. I had to have it, and this day they let me have it.
As their terrified feet scurried away the quietness came and settled in and I was able to take a deep breath and hang my head. And then it happened, gently and in an assuming way, in an effortless way I began to ponder those who came before me. I’m odd like that a therapist once told me I focus on the past, but for me it helps me maintain focus and resolve. And in my effort to find some focus some resolve to keep hoping in a world that seems increasingly hopeless; I was reminded that I am the things that my grandparents, and great-grandparents, and great-great-great-great grandparents hoped for but had never seen. It hit me like a ton of bricks when I looked up out of my panic and looked around at all of the excess that surrounds me. My great-great-grandmother couldn’t have imagined that any of her descendants would live like we do. That we would have access to opportunity like we do. That I would have the right to lift my voice in disapproval and live to tell about it. Yes, the system is filled with flaws and inequality and we must push back and dismantle the broken parts. We must build and rebuild over and over again. How dare we do anything less than continue striving to make the world around us better for our children. To hope and work towards the world we envision in our head and believe in our hearts that it is indeed possible. WE may never live to see our hopes and dreams come to pass but we shouldn’t sit back and say whelp that’s just the way it is. I come from a people who have always found a way to not only survive but to thrive even in the most adverse situations. Life can always be better, there will always be days times when you question the humanity of the world around you. But the question is now, what are YOU going to do about it? WE must, I must, and YOU must do your part. I realized that in the midst of chaos that we should be the evidence of the very things that our ancestors hoped for. It is clear to me that I am the substance of things hoped for the very evidence of things not seen. Now is the time to make the most of our lives by seeking justice and loving mercy, making life better for those that come behind us.
Does your life currently reflect the hopes of your fore-parents? If not, why not? What do you think it would take to better align with the better life they wanted for you?
Sound off in the comments.