To Honor the Dream

Do not seek revenge or bear a grudge against anyone among your people, but love your neighbor as yourself… – (Leviticus 19:18, NIV)

Forget about the wrong things people do to you. Don’t try to get even. Love your neighbor as yourself… – (Leviticus 19:18, ERV)

You shall not take revenge nor bear any grudge against the sons of your people, but you shall love your neighbor (acquaintance, associate, companion) as yourself… – (Leviticus 19:18, AMP)

 

Historically, there have been many groups of people that have had reason to hold a grudge for the wrongs done against them, yet for change to occur, the right to revenge had to be released, and love had to prevail. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., was a phenomenal example of choosing love, despite his circumstances. Dr. King found ways to bring truth in love, and fight for change through peace. Hate was not his motivation, but rather a heart of love. As a husband, father, minister, leader and spokesperson for civil rights, he let his faith shape the way in which he lived and loved. His words, “I have decided to stick with love. Hate is too great a burden to bear”, still remind us of the way in which we ought to choose to live. Be it an acquaintance, an associate, or a companion, may we choose to stick with love; for it is the very way in which we are called to live.

 

The only true way, 

To find peace at last;

Is to stick with love,

Let go of the past.

When we choose forgive,

Our hearts are set free;

The burden of hate,

Is far too heavy.

May we stick with love,

And choose to redeem;

Value all people,

And honor the dream.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for the men and women who have chosen to rise up and stick with love, despite the barriers and difficulties that have stood before them. Thank You that when we choose love, You move mightily among us. Forgive us for the times that we have held grudges rather than chosen love. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would stick with love, and not allow the weight of hate to destroy that which You intend for good. Show us how to love every acquaintance, associate and companion as You would have us love ourselves. May many come into a lasting relationship with You. May your peace prevail, and love win where hate has tried to reign. Be glorified O God, as we choose love again and again, knowing that You will use every decision of love to bring the dream to further fulfillment. Amen.

 

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

 

They will celebrate Your abundant goodness and joyfully sing of Your righteousness. – Psalm 145:7

Comfort in Times of Trouble

Last evening I was beyond blessed to have some dear friends drive into Denver as a family to spend time with me. They picked me up at my hotel, and whisked me away to tour an area that they thought I might enjoy in the city. My heart was overflowing with joy and gratitude to spend time together, as we shared a meal, caught each other up on the happenings of our lives, and wandered until we landed in an incredible book store. All was going splendidly, as I had found a book, Melissa and the trio of youngers were sharing a silly story and Josh and his eldest meandered through a section of interest nearby, until the calm, sweet mood was suddenly disrupted with a feeling of foreboding unrest.

We could hear it before we could see what was stirring. Soon, a long stream of unhappy people were marching past the bookstore’s front window, waving signs – some in peaceful protest, and others in a bit more menacing fashion. Two of the kids had very different responses. One was calling it a parade, whereas the other responded with a bit of fear. In my own heart, I felt that we needed to stay put until the crowd had passed, as the potential for unrest seemed high.

I had not heard the news this week, as I have been at a conference for work, so I have been in a bit of an isolated bubble. As we ultimately attempted to make way back to my hotel so that I could be dropped off and my friends could get home to get their kiddos to bed, we discovered that the march was growing, as a five-minute drive back, took more than twenty minutes, due to rerouting around those protesting.

Once back in my hotel, I was able to have conversation with my friends from work with whom I am traveling, and discover what has gone on over the past several days. It is impossible to not have a heavy heart, knowing that lives have been lost and fingers are pointing at entire professions and populations, rather than those specific individuals who snapped.

 

He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us. – (2 Corinthians 1:4, NLT)

 

In this sort of scenario, all that I know to do is to seek the Lord. There are no easy answers. God knows. He cares. The One who hand-crafted each of us, the perpetrators, the victims, and all those left to grieve – He loves each of us as His created. God will comfort us as we seek Him, and when we know His comfort, we are able to extend the same to others. May we choose to seek His comfort in this seeming chaos, and offer the very same comfort to those around us.

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that.” – Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

 

When darkness floods in,

And fear starts to rise;

Let us not forget,

The hope God supplies.

He is our comfort,

When chaos ensues;

The great Prince of Peace,

When we get bad news.

Far greater is He,

Our Strength and our Light;

Than troubles that come,

No matter our plight.

Seek the Lord above,

For comfort indeed;

Then we can share well,

With others in need.

 

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are our comfort in the midst of trouble. Thank You that as You comfort us, we can then go and comfort others in the same way. Forgive us for our fear, frustration and thoughts of blame of anything other than the sinful brokenness of humanity. Teach us to trust You more, so that we would seek Your help, strength and comfort, so that we too, could extend comfort to those around us. Help us to be Your hands, heart and voice to those in need of comfort. Show us how to love well. May many come to find peace and comfort in You, despite the world around us. Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy. – Hebrews 4:16

To Honor the Dream

Today, many of us are the recipients of an extra day off.  This day is in honor of the birth and life of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  Were it not for him, and the myriad of others who joined in the fearless fight against the injustices taking place in these United States, the face of our nation would not be nearly so beautiful, as it is today.  My classroom, which is a melting pot of countries and cultures, seated together, learning from each other, would not be possible.  What a travesty indeed it would be, to miss out of the blessing of living out the dream, of Dr. King.

Our charge, as humans – God’s created, is to love one another.  If we truly love, then the dream that Dr. King and so many others fought for, is alive and going strong.  It is when we choose to allow individuals to taint the face of an entire people group, that barriers are built up, and all that was fought for, is for naught.

“I can’t help but wonder why You care about mortals – sons and daughters of men – specks of dust floating about the cosmos.  But You placed the son of man just beneath God and honored him like royalty, crowning him with glory and honor.  You ordained him to govern the works of Your hands, to nurture the offspring of Your divine imagination; You placed everything on earth beneath his feet.” – (Psalm 8:4-6 – The Voice)

May we learn and grow in how to nurture and govern well, in a manner that is pleasing unto God.  Let us choose love, even in the face of adversity or fear.  Our strength to live and love, comes from Christ alone.

To honor the dream,

of a faithful man;

to live out our lives,

in line with God’s plan.

He calls us to love,

to choose to embrace;

regardless of creed,

religion or race.

May we truly show,

what love really is;

so many may come,

and long to be His.

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for men and women of faith who have gone before us and modeled love, and fought peacefully to end injustice.  Thank You for the progress that has been made in this nation, so that all people have opportunity to learn and grow, dream and achieve.  Forgive us for any personal barriers we may be bearing, and please break them down with the wonderful weight of Your love.  Lead us and guide us, so that we may love and embrace all who come near, regardless of whether or not their values and beliefs align with ours.  You dined with outcasts, and spoke freely with sinners – trusting the Father, never concerning Yourself with social norms, nor societal expectations.  May we have the very same trust, and continue to grow the dream.  May many come to know You as their Savior, as a result of our loving kindness.  Be glorified in all that we say and do.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present.

Let Freedom Ring

All throughout time

image by Ryan Scott

there’ve been people oppressed.

Treated poorly,

trapped in the miry mess.

Moses, Esther,

Mandela, Biko, King;

God-called leaders,

so that freedom might ring.

These faithful few,

obedient indeed.

Willing to die,

to see their people freed.

Today, let’s not,

forget courageous fights,

of the faithful

who fought for equal rights.

Dear Dr. King,

if you could only see,

the sea of kids,

learning in unity.

Your faith and fight,

your struggle and your dream;

beauty; motion;

all have come forth to be.

(Reflecting or reading of Exodus 1-2 and Dr. King’s Birthday)

Dear Heavenly Father, thank You that You are a God of equality and not of oppression.  Thank You that where there is injustice, You raise up leaders to be an audible voice.  Forgive us for sitting idly by, when we ought to have spoken out.  Give us ears to hear when You want us to speak on behalf of those who have no voice, and the wisdom to know what we can do to make a difference for the injustice we see in the world around us.  Father, lead us, guide us, equip and empower us, so that we might accomplish all that You are asking.  Protect the powerless, and use each of us to help keep the little ones safe.  May our obedience lead the lost to Your loving arms.  Amen.

© Shannon Elizabeth Moreno and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present

Let Freedom Ring

No so many years ago,
generations before us, a few;
civil rights were not so right –
justice did not really ring so true.
Our nation boldly bragged of freedom,
yet separated by tone of skin;
ignorant disillusionment,
passed on to next of kin.
There then came a generation,
that recognized the wrong;
they spoke through peaceful protest,
faith-filled freedom was their song.
For Dr. King and others,
fought for freedoms we now know;
their bravery and persistence,
daily still does show.
Wise words so boldly spoken,
declaring a dream to come;
for hand in hand our nation’s rising,
and works to get things done.

This is a generation,

that has not known such strife;

for the content of one’s character,

deems the value of each life.

From the mountains to the valleys,

to the sea may hearts choose sing;

may his dream live on forever,

and forever freedom ring.

© Shannon Elizabeth Grabrick and Revelations in Writing, May 2011 – present