I am hesitant to post anything about the election. However, I feel the need to say something. I woke up this morning hurt. I woke up in a fog. I woke up wondering if I was in a dream. I woke up trying to put myself in the shoes of those around me. Much of the world that I come from is jubilant and that pains me as well. I am reminded of a quote on compassion from Frederick Buechner, which states:
Compassion is the sometimes fatal capacity for feeling what it is like to live inside somebody else’s skin. It’s the knowledge that there can never really be any peace and joy for me until there is peace and joy finally for you too.
I hurt today for those around me. I have been numb for too long and silent for too long. I hurt for the minorities that no longer feel safe due to the hate that has ransacked our nation. I hurt because beliefs are discredited because they are different. I hurt for the disabled who saw a man who had mocked them for being different become their fearless leader of their country. I hurt because I am a little different too due to the disease that I have. I hurt because I cannot imagine being mocked for that. I hurt for those who are full of glee. I hurt for the marginalized. I hurt for those I disagree with greatly. I hurt for women. I hurt for many more groups that feel scared and unsafe as a result of the news from last night.
I want to say I am sorry for not necessarily standing up against the hate that I have seen around me. I believe that hate is the easy way out and that love is the only true way towards progress in any circumstances. We must pray. In truth, I would not have been happy either way last night. I believe that we have lost our way as a nation. Well, I do not know if we had ever found it in the first place, but that it beside the point. So rather than bash one man, I believe that individually and collectively we must pray and reevaluate our situation.
This is my prayer today.
Father,
Be near to the brokenhearted today. There is great hurt and great joy in this nation today. I believe that you are in control, but I no longer know what that looks like. I pray for those who feel unsafe that your peace and security would follow them. I pray for the joyful that they would be considerate of those who mourn. I pray that fear and hate would not govern our lives, but that your peace and justice would guide us on the path of love and hope. Our hope is in you not in the systems of the world. Our hope is not in man, for apart from you, man is nothing. For those who are scared grant them peace. Open our eyes. We are numb to the darkness and pain that surrounds us. Light the way. Hear our cries. Let love conquer.
Amen.