Defy Bad, Move Through Love

In March of 2005, I was moved to write a letter to our local paper. I found this letter while cleaning out drawers and thought that it is never a time when I believe this message is no longer applicable.

Dear Editor,

I don't think we are being foolish to stay optimistic in bad times.

People have proven to be compassionate, kind and to have courage during both the good times and in the bad times. We shouldn't wait until we can manage to have enough courage to do something grand to counter something we think is wrong in society. When we do a small thing, it is one step in the right direction.

My small step this Easter season is to remind us how sad it is that the Episcopalians and the Lutherans in our small community did not celebrate Lent together again for the second year. Is it impossible for us to disagree without drawing a line between us?

I would like to think we could live in defiance of all that is bad around us and to use love as the motivator that moves us instead of discord. "The love of people is at the same time a love for God. For when we love one, we do not necessarily love one's handiwork" Judah Low