You know, usually I sit down at my computer with fully formed thoughts. Maybe the post isn't formed in its entirety, but the major ideas are fleshed out.
Not tonight, though. I can't think. It's loud out there. People are frightened and furious - and with good reason. This most recent 'transfer of power' has been anything but peaceful, and the things being rolled out of the capitol are hurting people in a very real way.
I generally try not to post about politics because they elicit such a passionate response, and also because, like many Americans, I am not as informed as I should be. (I'm not proud of that fact, but there it is.) That's changing - partly because I'm somehow becoming a grown up, and partly because we now live in a world in which you have to actively try not to know about what's going on.
Do you know what's sad? I've written three, not-very-expressive paragraphs, and I am already afraid to post this. You see, I'm a people-pleaser. I want people to feel encouraged and uplifted by what I share, and I'm sure some people I respect are probably mad at me for that second paragraph. And other people I respect are probably upset over my third. Even mentioning what's going on in our country right now is upsetting to people. Some are angry about Trump, and what he's done. Others are angry at those protesting. "But look!" they shout. "Other people have done this, that, and the other."
And you know what? If you're saying that, you're right. Obama did this. Bush did that. Clinton did the other. That doesn't invalidate what's happening now. Life doesn't work that way.
So I have to decide where I stand. Amazingly, I may stand shoulder to shoulder with someone on one issue, but against them on another. And that's okay. I have to be able to look in the mirror and know that I am treating people - all people - with dignity and respect.
And with that in mind, I have a story to tell.
On September 9, 1943, Nazi forces landed on the Greek island of Zakynthos. The Nazi commander went to the mayor of this island and demanded a list of the local Jews. There was no secret as to what would happen to the people on such a list; they would be deported to death camps. The mayor went to the local church leader, Metropolitan Dimitrios Chrysostomos, for help. Chrysostomos went to the Nazi commander and tried to reason with him. It was pointless. The Nazi would not listen to reason. He demanded the list. So, Metropolitan Dimitrios did the only thing he could do. He took a list from his pocket and handed over. "Here is the list of Jews you require," he said.
There was one name on the list: Metropolitan Dimitrios Chrysostomos.
Here is the list of Jews you require. It is a phrase that plays through my mind again and again, day after day, and it has become louder in the past week. I am in awe - what a courageous thing! And I am frightened - will I have the courage to do the same?
Make no mistake, I will be faced with this choice. I am faced with this choice. It's easy to look back at history and wonder what we would have done in that time. Today, now, we are offered a rare gift: the ability to see that what we are doing now is what we would have done then.
I know thing are never as simple as we want them to be. I know that there has to be some sort of protocol in place to ensure everyone's safety. Turning away people who are fleeing the horrors of war, detaining people who have already worked so hard to find a better life - denying an entire swath of people entry into the 'Land of the Free' because of their religion - this can't be the way.
I don't have the answer. I can only act the way I have been taught:
"'For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.'
"Then the righteous will answer Him, 'Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go visit you?'
"The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.'" -- Matthew 25: 35-40 (NIV)
I know these words aren't much - my words in this post, that is...Not the Lord's - that they are gentle where some would rather see strength, and soft where others prefer power. I know. I know some people are probably rolling their eyes because I am making the leap from what's happening now to the horrors of the Third Reich. "That would never happen in America!" you say. And I hope and pray you're right. I believe you may be right.
But know this: when I am asked to hand over a list of names, I will take a deep breath, and - shaking, no doubt - offer my own name instead.
