A map of Ireland
Good Morning, God!
A map of Ireland, You might ask? Well, this morning — after the conclusion, yesterday afternoon, of the Arcadia Library Open House — my mind is turning toward WHAT ELSE is coming up.
I need to sit and make a map of my day — my week — which only goes through Thursday morning. That’s when we fly off mid-day for Boston — for Kit to run the Boston Marathon — and then off we go to Ireland.
My Mind is FULL! No, not as full as it was yesterday! And thank You, God for that! Actually, thank You for FULLNESS. Thank YOU for a life full of wonderful family and wonderful friends — it is, after all our fellow human beings that are intertwined with the essence of LIFE.
THE TWO GREAT COMMANDMENTS: to love YOU, GOD, with all our strength and heart and mind, AND TO LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR AS OUR SELVES.
Then the question arises — as the lawyer asked of Jesus — who is my neighbor? And maybe that is why I chose the map of Ireland for today’s image. I suppose, God, that Ireland isn’t quite as “bad” as Rwanda. But, then, it has such a long history of Troubles that perhaps it is worth looking at. So many Waves of Invaders — coming to dispossess those on the Land and take their place. How much worse, God, when that is “Dressed Up” as Invaders Coming in the Name of God — coming to bring the Truth. It was Roman Catholics vs. Cromwell’s Presbyterians back in the 1600s.
And all of this is going on in Darfur . . . in Tibet . . . in our own hearts as we “demonize” Others. And, now I am asking — WHAT HAS THIS TO DO WITH ME, GOD?
I am afraid to ask You because Being a Peace Maker means to be attacked by BOTH SIDES! Yes, Being a Peace Maker means HEARING the HEARTS of the HURTING.
Being a Peace Maker seems to begin with self examination — followed by repentance — followed by confession — followed by asking for forgiveness. I think that is what the Truth and Reconciliation meetings involved in Ireland and in South Africa. Hmm. it seems to me that this model was informal in Northern Ireland. It was! Women did it back in the 1970’s! Betty Williams and friends founded The Community of Peace People and won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1976. Betty Williams (Nobel laureate) – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia . And now the government is considering that as an official way of healing in Northern Ireland.
Truth and reconciliation commission – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia Ah, dear God. Thank You for the reminder that just a handful of people RESPONDING TO YOU can make a difference. And, I guess, that we are all to be willing. Sigh, I guess the point of all of this is I AM TO BE WILLING. And, seeing no immediate danger of being called — I blush at that truth — I can cheerfully say, YES GOD. And go back to planning my day and moving my detritus around.
Story teller,
A Moment with God 
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