Fearless Faith

Far too many politicians speak to desires of owning the electorate, blinded in part by suppositions of sweeping mandates that are crudely called forth but lack definition. A weariness has descended on us this election cycle, a reflection of being reduced to categories of color, age, gender, faith, sexuality, nationality and any number of unnamed groupings that presumedly define who we are, depending of course on who interprets the data. Unfortunately, voters caught in the process can become chattel to be sold to the highest bidder.

The good news is that we have a choice where and how we live, not in a geographic sense but in our head and heart space, dwelling places where the flow of information is tempered with wisdom, forgiveness and love. It is a choice that is wholly owned by each person, regardless of what other people might imagine. I can measure out generous portions of forgiveness and freely bestow it on my adversaries without their permission. Likewise, no so-called sweeping mandates are necessary to love others, even when they do not love in return. Grace is funny that way, undeserved yet freely available.

So, how do we step away from the spitefulness and rancor that has recently culturalized our republic at such deep levels? Instead of focusing on what is wrong with an opposing position or viewpoint, why not inquire regarding what is decent and right and simply begging to be known? Such virtue awaits discovery if we are willing to expend a little energy to find it. How will we know when it is before us? When inspiration wends its way into our actions and conversations. Inspired people give of their time and resources, though not always in the manner we expect. Rest assured, there is more than ample opportunity to develop a good fit between need and response, even when the threads we follow take us down new paths.

A recent thread did just that by surprising at every turn. Sew Blessed, anchored in Haxtun, is known for conscientiously recycling fabric into usable clothing items and specialized projects of various kinds. Every scrap of cloth is utilized to the maximum with final scraps ending up as filler and loft in dog beds. Recent items focused on hurricane relief, resulting in 39 cartons of clothing, blankets, quilts and varieties of winter gear for distribution through churches in Asheville, N.C. Nearly lost in the shuffle, however, was one of those unexpected paths that no one could fathom ahead of time.

Recent donations of cloth for recycling included a couple boxes of sewing notions, in particular hooks and eyes. Through word of mouth, inquires went out to find a good use for the fasteners. The clear winners were wildlife sanctuaries that used the closures to repair broken turtle shells while injuries mended. Apparently, hooks, eyes, epoxy cement and zip ties make for a winning combination if you are an injured turtle.

To my knowledge, the turtles have yet to debate recent electoral processes and results, nor have they asked my opinion to inform me of my wrongness in all matters politic. And yet, common ground was found by matching need and resource. Still, I wonder if Jesus ever helped a turtle get safely to the other side of the road. We should check with Sew Blessed. I wouldn’t be surprised if they have already arrived at an innovative solution. It’s how and where they live.