My little art class of nursing home residents each made their own decorated glitter pumpkin. They enjoyed it, even the one lady who usually says, "I can't do this," and leaves in the middle of class. I always feel bad when she does that but the Activities Director tells me that it is great she stays for any of the class! This time, she stayed and completed the entire project.
When everyone had completed their pumpkin, I showed them the master plan. All the pumpkins were to be glued on a wreath of fall leaves. While each pumpkin individually was fun for them, they all smiled proudly at the communal finished project. They hadn't known they had been working together towards a unified end. Even those who hadn't liked their pumpkin all by itself agreed the final effect was quite lovely.
I can't show the residents' faces due to HIPA laws. Too bad. They were all smiling. They hung around and chatted with me as I cleaned up, and one returned with a magic marker to add a face to her pumpkin. She said when she left, she realized a face would add to the total effect so found a marker and returned just for that purpose. That touched my heart!
I asked them all what they thought of the election this year. Every one of them said they were disgusted, that this has been the most terrible choice for president in their lifetime, and most said they could not in good conscience vote at all.
The disunity and rancor among even my own circle of friends by this election disturbs me greatly. The Bible says a house divided against itself cannot stand. I am sure this is true of nations as well. A unified vision and purpose brings harmony, contentment, and peace.
United we stand; divided we fall.
I am not suggesting we need to agree as a nation on all things. That will never happen, nor should it. Diversity of views and opinions often bring unexpected advances in understanding, science, civilization. (Which is not to say all views are equally valid. I do believe in absolute truth.) But disagreement should never be riddled with personal attacks.
We may not agree on our president, but if we claim Christ as our Lord, we must agree on the essentials of faith. Our purpose above all else is to glorify God and point others to Him.
May the God of endurance and encouragement grant you to live in such harmony with one another, in accord with Christ Jesus, that together you may with one voice glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 15: 5-6
My Facebook account was hacked and a friend noted I had posted disparaging memes about Muslims as well as indicating certain people should die. That was not me. I changed my password, wondering why a hack would find any joy in poisoning my Facebook feed.
All this hatred, division, and personal attacks and animosity make me sick. I find myself in prayer more and more, and that is the best thing that has come of all this for me.
As we finished our work at the nursing home, the residents all sparkled with the specks of loose glitter that had sifted like dust in the air.
"Well," one resident said as I held up the finished Autumn Wreath, "That looks really nice when we put all our work together."
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Romans 8:28
And we know that for those who love God all things work together
for good, for those who are called according to his purpose.
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you
should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that
whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.
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