The Impact of Different Kinds of Death
Imagine this scenario. It has just been discovered that there is an active terrorist group operating in the United States. They have a new kind of rapid fire machine gun and each day they kill people all across the country. Lately they have arrived at the ability to kill more than 2,000 people a day.
People are panicked but have different views on the most effective defense against these terrorists. The country has turned to their elected representatives to examine and determine the best defense available. However, the politicians have declared that they not only don’t agree with each other on how to proceed, but they also refuse to even meet together and hammer out a strategy for defending the citizens.
The Difference Between Bullets and Virus
I don’t expect politicians to have all the answers, but I do think the reason they were elected was to meet together and seek a solution that best serves their people. I can’t picture the country allowing that many people to be killed by bullets and not demanding more responsibility from our “Leaders.” Can you? And that doesn’t account for all the millions that are being wounded by the virus and yet they can’t even meet to work out a stimulus package to support them.
Thanksgiving
We approach our Thanksgiving holiday deeply wounded as a country (and as a world). No doubt you are feeling the stress of these events and the fact that it is really not safe to gather in the same way that we normally do.
While it is natural to be angry at the failed leadership in this country, going that route is not the healthiest way to deal with your emotions. Much better would be to exercise the emotionally healing act of offering thanks. I would suggest the following exercise.
First, take a private half-hour and starting somewhere in your childhood, recall some event every five years for which you are thankful. It will help you recall that you are cared for and not alone, regardless of who you credit for those good experiences.
Second, if you are sharing a meal with one or more people, take time to individually speak a word of thanks to each person and their contribution in your life.
Third, identify someone who you haven’t seen for awhile and surprise them through either phone or email by connecting and sharing a word of thanks.
I can almost promise you that if you will do those three things, you will experience an uplift of your own spirit.
NOW BACK TO THOSE POLITICIANS
It might have an impact if you would contact them, share the analogy between bullets and virus, acknowledge that it is a difficult job to be an effective politician these days, and urge them to commit to taking action that is worthy of Thanksgiving. They are not perfect but encourage them to “be the best that they can be.”
Risk participating in advocating for healthy clergy and healthy congregations.
Get a free book in the process.
Steve McCutchan www.smccutchan.com
