Saturday, June 15, 2019

Dear God,

Today was a first for me.  I attended a Pride Parade with my granddaughter.  She really wanted to go so we drove to Portland, parked the car and she pushed me in a wheelchair because I was having trouble with my legs.  What unfolded in the next few hours was eye opening.

People, couples, families, singles spread joy to one another.  Some with lavish costumes and others with simple scarves or flags reached out to one another.  When the parade started, churches and synagogues, community businesses and special groups of people walked the mile or so to wave, smile, give hugs or show support, kindness and love to all who attended.  Parade watchers clapped, waved back and sometimes hooted and yelled to say thanks.  What did I do?  I wept.  Why?  Because I realized how far behind the church is in giving unconditional love to all people.  We are conditional in our love, affirmation and compassion.

So often we fail to do the one thing you taught us to do...love one another.  We want people to change and become like us when in fact all we have to be is who you created us to be.  We are all different, unique; yet, we are all one.  We are all alike.  Loving one another can help us overcome so many obstacles.  We can transform the world with love.

Show us
the way
to love,
O Lord;
show us
the way
to love.
Make us
a people
of love,
friendship and kindness.
Help us change
hatred into love,
ugliness into beauty
and meanness
into compassion.

Love, Andrea