Notes from a Sojourn
June 5, 2020
Praying for God’s Presence in Troubled Times
There is much sorrow, sadness, and grief on my heart as I write this reflection. It is topped off with anger, confusion, and dismay at what is happening in the world today. I sit in my daughter’s house in Easley, South Carolina wondering where to find hope in a North American world that seems to be crumbling at every turn.
As if Covid-19 was not devastating enough, the senseless death of George Floyd has shaken the Western world like no other racially charged event since Martin Luther King Jr.’s death. I suppose I am especially sensitive as my son-in-law is a strong, proud, successful black man who has provided us with four beautiful grandchildren and I fear for them and the type of world that may be left to them. I understand that I will never understand how he feels or what he lives on a daily basis as my rich, white privilege has guaranteed that. I also understand that I will love him unconditionally and will stand with him and protect him and his children at all cost in spite of my ignorance.
We have had some frank discussions this week and I am amazed at his understanding and resilience through these tragic events. He doesn’t blame anyone and does not speak ill of a single person, but also understands that the system is broken and needs to be rebuilt. Apologies only go so far, but actions speak louder than words. He is not afraid of confrontation, but it is more educating than anything else. He is quick to understand that change will not come easy or quickly as the United States was built on the backs of the marginalized, the vulnerable and the weak. The colonization and the industrialization of this country is celebrated in the history books, but are very remiss in telling the whole story of the cost of human suffering inflicted on those non-white people who were enslaved or driven from their lands. As an American myself, I am saddened and ashamed indeed to know that my privilege was constructed by the exploitation of those who should have been the most included and celebrated; the ones who did the actual work of erecting a nation. Proudly, my son-in law lays no blame but wants more than anyone for the broken system to be repaired even if it means starting from scratch. I strongly stand with him in working to rebuild a new inclusive, tolerant loving nation that we can be proud.
He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." Hebrews 13:5
Even in these most difficult of times, God is with us. God will never forsake us under any condition and learning to find the splendour and glorious majesty should be our focus as we work to become more accepting and tolerant of all those we encounter. My hope and my prayer is that God’s presence will be revealed so graciously to those in need and that the love of God, which passes all understanding, will change the hearts and minds of those who are intolerant, insensitive, and exclusive. Let us feel God’s grace and love and mercy that we might begin to see with new eyes, hear with new ears, and care with new hearts.
Accept now our petitions, God, knowing that you never forsake us, so we might truly begin to love you with our whole hearts and love ALL our neighbours as ourselves.
Amen
Mark Lewis
Parish of South Dundas
