Posts Tagged "belonging"

If We Have No Peace

Posted by Pat Stewart on Jan 31, 2017 in My Blog, Think About This | 0 comments

Mother Teresa was the supreme sacrificial giver, helper, lover.  I think she was an excellent model of living a life full of Christ.  She said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten we belong to each other.”  In the days of political campaigning and ushering in our new president, I have been witnessing many people feeling unsure, questioning our country’s leadership, wondering if the foundational values of what makes us America…the United States of America are going to remain. Supporters as well as those who oppose,  have uncertain feelings of anxiety and it makes me think of Mother Teresa’s quote about belonging to one another. Have we forgotten that?   Admittedly, it is more than challenging to feel a kinship with someone who cowardly attacks unsuspecting innocent people, inflicting horrific injuries with some losing their lives.  So, I can tell myself, “well nobody’s perfect so I can just let that one go.”  Not really, though. Thinking that reminds me of my career with United Way.  Our board, volunteers and small staff worked to strengthen our community and to help solve problems that our citizens experienced.  When we had a big, serious issue to present itself, we convened a meeting and brought representatives of different sectors of the community together to work at the “community table” toward finding solutions.  We knew that we couldn’t truly achieve a “community ” solution unless friend and foe were around that table to offer their particular perspectives.  It’s very challenging but most often we were successful. And every time we were successful…or even when we weren’t successful but WE TRIED, we were building community.  Community is a precious asset.  And we were people of the same community. My point in the above paragraph is that we may not feel like we “belong” to someone of differing opinions, actions, faith,race, but, perhaps, we can remind ourselves that every living soul on this planet earth are all created by God.  So, someone who blasts social media with their caustic thoughts, assuming and disrespecting other human beings, thinking they are the only person who feels passionate about their faith while slamming others of the very same faith…how do we say we belong to them?  I don’t have an answer to that question.  But could we possibly agree to act, speak, recognize, etc. as a community? Our world is a lot smaller now with technology, communication, fast travel, so we just might need to start thinking of our global community.  Many have for some time now.  We must take care of our planet.  There are parts that are aging and if we can use our shared intellect and technology we might reverse some potential loss of where God has placed us.   Why are we here? Peace to all!    ...