In “Travels with Charley”, John Steinbeck wrote:
“Americans are much more American than they are Northerners, Southerners, Westerners, or Easterners … California Chinese, Boston Irish, Wisconsin German, yes, and Alabama Negroes, have more in common than they have apart. The American identity is an exact and provable thing.”
In the final book in The Walk Series, “Walking on Water,” author Richard Paul Evans has his main character respond to the Steinbeck statement:
“I don’t know if this is still the case in America. I may be wrong, but it seems that there may be some unraveling of the American Tapestry. I see people getting so caught up in celebrating diversity that they are neglecting their commonality. l don’t see this as a good thing … I hope I’m wrong about this, and that the flame is still on beneath the great American melting pot. Americans need each other, and a house divided, no matter the color of its occupants, is still divided. And divided we all fall.”
Interesting thoughts to ponder as the Fourth of July comes around again.
That same character has an encounter with a zealous Christian seeking to “get him saved” by coming into the fellowship of his particular church, stating that only those who do so will be saved. Evans’ character replies:
“And you think it’s just that billions of people who were raised differently than you or in other places of the world are not saved Your god doesn’t scare me. I’ll stick with God who is great enough to love all his creation.”
Interesting thoughts to ponder any day.
In the midst of all this “pondering” I heard a recording the Children’s Choir at the Worship and Music Conference at Montreat singing these meaningful words:
May a rainbow run beside you,
in a sky that’s always blue,
And may happiness fill your heart each day,
and bless you your whole life through.
May peace and plenty bless your world
with joy that long endures.
May a rainbow run beside you,
the best to you and yours.
A rainbow is always a sign of hope, a welcome gift in the midst of so much “pondering!”
Elizabeth
Updated: Jun 22, 2023
My youngest child sent this to me this week. It was sent to her as an email from a friend, with no source given. It’s very helpful in dealing with what can come our way in life, and in helping us to help others.
“When a flashlight grows dim or quits working, you don’t throw it away, you change the batteries. When a person messes up and finds themselves in a dark place, do you cast them aside? Of course not, you help them change their batteries! Some need AA ... attention and affection; some need AAA ... attention, affection and acceptance; some need C ... compassion; some need D .. direction. And if they still don’t seem to shine .. simply sit with them quietly and share your light.”
This lovely poem by Ann Weems shares a similar theme:
“I’d Write for You a Rainbow”
“If I could, I’d write for you a rainbow
And splash it with all the colors of God
And hang it in the window of your being
So that each new God’s morning
Your eyes would open first
to Hope and Promise.
If I could, I’d wipe away your tears
And hold you close forever in shalom.
But God never promised
I could write a rainbow,
Never promised I could suffer for you,
Only promised I could love you.
That I do.”
Another beautiful poem by Ann Weems is helpful.
“Reaching for Rainbows”
“I keep reaching for rainbows
Thinking one God’s morning
I will wake up with rainbow ribbons in my hair,
With hurts painted over in hues
that only angel wings could brush,
Black, obliterated, chaos hurled
Beyond the rainbow and my vision,
The world created in a myriad of colors.
The hungry fed, the dying held;
The maimed walking, the angry stroked;
The violent calmed, the oppressed freed;
The oppressors changed,
and every tear wiped away.
I know the promise of the rainbow …
I keep thinking I’ll turn a corner one day
And find a litany of rainbows
Flung across the sky,
Hosannaing back and forth
through all the ages and
out into eternity forever amen!
Every tear wiped away - It’s a promise –
When we become rainbows to each other.”
May these thoughts help us to help ourselves and each other as we live with the ups and downs of life from day to day.
Elizabeth
The beauty in the manse yard is such a gift this Monday morning. Last evening’s gentle rain left everything fresh and green! Dew sparkles on the blue hydrangeas and the leafy green ferns in the early morning sun. I see first one “tree full of angels” and then another and another – as sunlight shines through the branches.
Butterflies are visiting the butterfly bush, the squirrels are busy nibbling corn and the birds are chirping at the feeder, and hummingbirds have found their special spot. The baby deer will come late afternoon to feast on corn and apples. Foxes are nearby to take care of any leftovers. At dusk raccoons and possums venture out to see what they can see. The moon and stars come out and stand watch through the night.
Everything is growing. Everything is peaceful. The tall longleaf pines stand guard around the house, and fluffy white clouds dot blue skies. The church bells chime at their scheduled times, with hymn tunes that touch my soul and call up memories. Cars and trucks whiz by and a neighbor walking down the roadside calls out and waves. “It’s a beautiful day in the neighborhood!”
I’m reminded of Edna St. Vincent Millay’s poem, “God’s World” – O world I cannot hold you close enough.” It’s that kind day, and I give thanks!
Elizabeth