Don't Do It

Beloved:

    Dreaming that Simba was in our woods fighting with another cat, I woke to find the high pitched whining was neither the cat nor outside.  Rosie the golden retriever was asleep right next to me and her belly was growling.  I laughed, and then the radio clicked on ~ Syria, Syria, Syria.  And so the day began.  

    I decided to read deeply, to seek an informed opinion.  The more wonks and scholars I read the less opinionated I become.  Anne Lamott has a piece that's helpful, particularly this sentence, "No one knows, our wisest thinkers can't figure this out.  It's okay that the rest of us are torn up and   confused.  Some will go to churches, temples, mosques tomorrow and we will pray with our communities for truth, justice and peace to prevail.  I have to believe that will help."  Me too - praying and hoping that all the prayers and hopes of people who can't see how additional strikes and bombs are going to help stop the violence will win the day.

    Turns out I have an opinion after all.  "Don't do it.  Please don't do it," is what I'd tell him if the president asked for my thoughts.  "I think they are all daring you to do it," I'd say, if he asked.

President Obama, "Who?"  
Pastor Annette, "Every Syrian with a gun in his hands."
President Obama:   "We have compelling evidence."
Pastor Annette:  "I'm sure you do."
President Obama:   "I assume you have a suggestion?"
Pastor Annette:   "I thought you'd never ask . . . . . . "

    I wrote lots more dialogue, none that was quip or clear.  I've no idea how our president ought to proceed ~ only my hope and prayer for him . . . that as the one with the most power, he will execute the most life sustaining option.   

    I've turned off the radio for now.  I need to listen for another kind of word and  breathe a different kind of air ~ the Word and air of the Life giving, Life sustaining Spirit ~ clear and unpolluted by ego or vested interests . . . . spoken exclusively in the language of peace, justice and truth.   Pray today, please do not fail to pray today.   ~peace & prayers, pastor annette