I remember

While I stood in the driveway of one of the local schools where a patriotic ceremony was being held, I allowed my thoughts to follow my eyes as looked away from the podium, the elementary children, the assembled dignitaries, and turned behind me, over the heads of assembled adults, to focus instead on a crystal blue sky, a vibrant green oak, and puffy white clouds.

In the foreground, over the blue, white and green, was red, white, and blue, at half mast along with our state flag. And I considered it for several moments, and remembered a fact that I did not want to take for granted.

When I was the age of these children, I took home, city, state and nation for granted. It was understood that there were people taking care of these things for me, that they would not change, would not disappear, and would not bring me to harm, as they were in the hands of adults – family and strangers alike, but adults that I trusted to do what was best. What was right.

And now, as I stand here and look at the Flag wrapped loosely about the pole, I remembered: this is my nation now. What happens to it, where it goes, is my responsibility. I must be vigilant to her care, and take note of the proceedings in places both high and low. My actions are now expected to make a difference; my actions now do – and these children seated before me are counting on me, and all the other adults here, to make sure they do not have to think about these things.

The evening before, I stood on the steps of my city courts, demonstrating my opinion about important laws our city council were voting on. Laws that I believed would have an effect on the quality of life in our city. The quality for myself, and more so the quality in coming years. The quality of life for these little people sitting before me now.

One of the dignitaries – our Secretary of State – addressed the young people in simple terms, but with a direct message. He said “How many of you have heard someone say, ‘You [children] are the future of our society’? Well, I hate that phrase. I don’t like it because it suggests you will be important someday, but not now. You see, I believe each one of you are important today. I believe you have a responsibility to take action in your world now…there are things each one of you can do right now, to lead your friends, your siblings, and even your parents, to do what is right, what is important.”

What about the rest of us, the grownups? What are YOU doing right now, today, to make this a better world. To make yourself a better person? To help SOMEONE ELSE be a better person?

Maybe the more important question is: what are you doing right now that makes this a lesser world? Makes you a lesser person? Makes others into lesser people?

Whatever it is, cut it out.

I mean it.

If you are having trouble identifying those actions which are causing you to feel ‘lesser’, then may I suggest a visit to a local place of worship. If do not have a preference, then may I recommend a Wesleyan, Nazarene, or Lutheran church in your community. There will be people there willing to talk to you, without judging, about a grace that can lead you from ‘lesser’ actions into a fullness of peace that is meant to be yours.

Its important. If you need to do this, don’t wait.