justice

No Regrets!

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But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Galatians 5: 22, 23 NASB

We will not regret: 

Small acts of kindness

Gathering wildflower bouquets

Gifting garden tulips, daisies, and peonies

Listening long and longingly, to know and understand

Offering a tissue, blanket, or cold glass of water

Sharing a panini sandwich and homemade chips

Meatloaf dinners passed at the door

Gentleness—a soft-spoken word, light touch and embrace 

Windows of compassion 

Reading to a child

Speaking Truth

Saying “I’m sorry”

Bearing another’s burden

Holding a hand and heart

A well-guarded secret

Expressing gratitude

Calls to grandparents

Morning walks

Candlelight dinners (phone turned off)

Sunset waltzes

Rest

Beholding God’s demure beauty

Studying His word 

Forgiving others

Forgiving yourself

Choosing to smile

Singing our song

Saying “I love you”

Humble prayers

Trusting God

A slow exhale

 

Bearing fruit,

Lily Mae

 

He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God. Micah 6: 8 NIV

 

 

 

Awaken the Dawn

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Wash yourselves, make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from My sight. Cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, reprove the ruthless, defend the orphan, plead for the widow.

Isaiah 1: 16, 17 NASB

 

Awaken the dawn.
Perfect love casts out fear.
Our glory flag waves with purpose.
Freedom comes with a cost and responsibility.
We cannot remain silent.
God is love. He sacrificed His only begotten  Son.

Jesus was crucified so that the captives may be set free, the hearts and voices of the oppressed restored, and the gospel proclaimed to all nations. Jesus spoke against injustice; He defended the weak and vulnerable, the widow, orphan, outcast, and stranger. Our beliefs and response matter. We cannot say we abide in Christ, and yet hate our brothers and sisters. Revival begins with us.

Long before there was a “Me too!” movement, I was a desperate cry in a parched land. I was deemed “emotional” and shamed for my passion. As if only sexually abused women shed tears. Still, I rose against the tide of violence in our homes, churches, and communities and spoke out.

Like many, my soul is bruised again this week. I am outraged. Heartbroken. Traumatized. Breathless. Numb. Speechless. Words seem inadequate. But this I know . . . God is love.

And perfect love casts out fear.

When injustice also rears its ugly head with a snarly comment, silent dismissal, or clamped boot, I am determined to interrupt, rebuke, and re-frame the lies of hate and discrimination with Truth. I will focus on what is pure, lovely, right, just, and honorable and choose excellence. Love does not require me to embrace every world view and movement. But it does require that I see others through the lens of Christ. He values life and grants forgiveness and dignity to sinners. And I am the least of these.

Awaken the dawn. Change starts when we admit our own hurtful and destructive thoughts. The broken ones bow in humility. We repent and turn from our wicked ways. Wash and cleanse. Likewise, we choose forgiveness and holiness.

We must learn to do good. Put it into practice.
Seek justice and correct oppression.
Defend the powerless.

God is love. He gives breath to His people. He alone is able to heal our land and disease. Justice will be established in the earth.

Lord, we wait on you. We pray for your mercy and courage to be different. Unify your people. May our love for you and others be a flicker of hope to all who are suffering.

Lily Mae

A bruised reed He will not break and a dimly burning wick He will not extinguish; He will faithfully bring forth justice. He will not be disheartened or crushed until He has established justice in the earth; and the coastlands will wait expectantly for His law.
Isaiah 42: 3, 4 NASB

 

Pools of Mercy

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This is what the Lord Almighty said: “Administer true justice; show mercy and compassion to one another. Do not oppress the widow or the fatherless, the foreigner or the poor. Do not plot evil against each other.
Zechariah 7:9-10 NIV 

I meander through the goods
Kitchen utensils, quilts, books, and old-fashioned toys.
A search for child-like wonder,
My gaze rests on a coil tunnel
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

A blanket is folded and patted, too careful
Nervous glances quickly disconnect with mine
Agitated peacock almost collides with my escape.
We side-step dance through the uncomfortable
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

A slinky is thrust like a baton
Familiar eyes question—hesitate, then take.
‘Twas the pattern set long ago
Dreams collide with despair
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Fling wide the door
Thirsty stems sway and blooms droop
The light changes . . . yellow cautions, “S.L.O.W. the HURRY!”
Angry tires burn the corner. Breaks screech. And horns blare!
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Winter within threatens to restrict
I fight to feel. Smell. See. Breathe.
I fist my want and hug my hurt
Sip the last of the morn’s dark roast
Frantic, I focus on the ONE beside me.

Gnarled fingers pill his plaid hem
Empty, dark rooms tell their tale
Twins tarry on heaven’s bench
A union of the missing
Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Unbeknownst, the elder gifts courage
I focus on his worry—the blank stare that pulls the knots
Unsteady feet set in heavy platform shoes
Powerless and forgotten outsiders
Breathe. One. Two. Three.

Who will you speak for?
Put a face to the need
Seek the lonely exile, widow, and orphan
Different. Desperate. Hurt. Hungry. Weary.
The closed door signals the good-bye.

I let go and stand . . . step forward.
Mercy’s hand welcomes the distraught ONE
Kind and compassionate and gracious.
He sees through the smeared window and my defense
Stacked bricks, barbed-wire, and pretty-painted pink.

Balcony view to the dirt and gravel, and the shaded sidewalk
Pools of concern offer humble hope and beauty
Picture frames of pastels, fertile pastures, and moonlit nights
And Heaven’s rain echoes the heartfelt cries as a Lily opens
Closes. Breathe. One. Two. Three.

Dare I confront the gap?
River’s edge and broken bridge
Detour signs and cement barricades
Power and prestige – legalism and hate
Bystander’s dismissal, “I am not the victim!”

I recoil. Shrink. Stumble.
I cannot tarry this burden alone
I need a warrior and an advocate.
A tottering fence desires a pillar with pure intentions
Love without conditions, help without condemnation.

A gentle man acknowledges my grief
He questions with interest and quiet deliberation
And I cannot see beyond his magnetic pull
He and his wife’s work beckon me to stay
Our dilly-dally overcomes the tick-tock.

I met a stranger with Jesus’ eyes
And I am undone
Lord, let me be as he. . . as You
Take my fear and doubt, soften my heart
Give me eyes to see the vacant rooms.

I remember and re-member as I break the bread and drink the cup of Easter-tide.