Beloved- we must not give in.
Pray
Listen
Think
Attend to what God is speaking and how God is leading
These are the instructions the spirit gave me today.

Living in love takes intention.
Having original thoughts and articulating them takes time reflection and work.
Being in true real life community requires something of us.
These a muscles that have atrophied in a world full of headlines, social media, hot takes, ai, and outrage about everything.

Remember Mercy - The Many - Lyric Video YouTube video by The Many

youtu.be/X7-THUalBfk?...

Again and again I find myself leaning into the wisdom of Advent- the gift our tradition Christian tradition gives to us-
We wait in preparation and expectation.
We wait as Mary did- as the whole of creation waited. In hope, peace, joy and love.
Link to a song based on Luke 1 in the comments.

A final thought- The only thing that is indiscriminate in scripture is God’s love…. Mercy and Grace are poured out in abundance. The sun rises on all people the righteous and the unrighteousness.

Wow. What humility. God offers him anything and he ask for wisdom- not for his own self, but for the common God.

Oh God, give discernment and wisdom to all those in leadership in our cities, states, and nation.

Solomon recounts God’s faithful and recognizes that he is young and inexperienced and knows nothing-
“Please give your servant a discerning mind in order to govern your people and to distinguish good from evil, because no one is able to govern this important people of yours without your help."

In 1 Kings 3, God comes to Solomon and says- “ask whatever you wish and I will give it to you.”
I wonder how long Solomon pondered before he answered and I have often contemplated how I would have responded.

As I have prayed for our country this week, the word “indiscriminate” came to my spirit. My church is focused on discernment right now now in our life groups. We are studying discernment in scripture and learning spiritual practices that help us to be more aware of God and determine God’s will.

Young person holding sign that says” rests evil”

People gathering at demonstration bundled for the cold weather, sun shining brightly in between the buildings

We were downtown Chicago with people resprenting 70 different advoacy groups calling the new administration to account.
It was 7 years ago to the day in 2018 that we participated in the Women’s March…
Today was different. Today I am more aware that this work of resistance will cost us something.

Heading downtown Chicago. Message if you’ll be there