We almost didn’t go to church yesterday. My husband and I were dressed and ready, but my nephew was playing a home hockey game at the same time as our service, and at the last minute I said: “Let’s skip.”
I love my church. The desire to play hooky had nothing at all to do with my pastor, the beautiful people who comprise our sweet, small congregation, or the weekly services we enjoy. The problem was entirely me.
I’ve felt so frozen lately. Paralyzed and numb. As more and more bad news floods in from every sector of society, I have fallen prey to the “hopeless and helpless” virus. What on earth can I possibly do to mitigate the suffering of my neighbors even a tiny bit? It’s too much. Too overwhelming, too impossible, too sickening and awful and wrong. And I’m just one small person. One quiet voice. Even sitting through a church service—singing about the love of Jesus and digging into scripture for direction and hope—has felt like a bridge too far. I just can’t.
Yesterday, at the last minute and for reasons I still don’t fully understand, we ended up turning south toward the public elementary school cafeteria where our church services are held instead of north toward the hockey rink.
And I’m so glad we did.
My favorite part of our church service is always the children’s message—our pastor has a very special way with kids and his mini sermons are always poignant and funny, the truth distilled to the barest, most significant essentials—and yesterday did not disappoint. He talked about bullies. And about how as Jesus-followers our job is to stand up to them.
To always, in all things, be brave and kind.
I haven’t been brave and kind lately. I’ve been sad and impotent. I’ve tunneled in, stayed safe and silent. But I have a voice, and it’s wrong of me not to use it. I have incredible privilege that grants me the freedom to speak and move in the world largely unhindered. And to not advocate for my brothers and sisters, my neighbors near and far, is a tragic dereliction of duty.
“May God break my heart so completely that the whole world falls in.”
Mother Teresa
Let’s be crystal clear:
The ICE raids that are terrorizing communities and tearing families apart are evil.
Trump’s ban on humanitarian aid through USAID is a literal matter of life and death that impacts some of the most vulnerable people in the world.
Trump’s tariffs are pointless and will disrupt supply chains, raise costs for everyone, and put hundreds of thousands of jobs at risk.
And the list goes on and on…
I don’t care who you voted for, this is non-partisan. We’re all in this together. Sadly, if you’re buried in far-right media, you’re not hearing about any of it. And if you do know what’s going on, you might feel (like I did) helpless and hopeless. But we’re not. I’m no historian, journalist, or activist, but I love my neighbors and I love my country, and maybe that’s all the qualification any of us needs.
So, here’s what we can DO.
Be informed. Step outside of your echo chamber and seek out news sources that are reputable and fair. Some recommendations: AP, Newsweek, Reuters, BBC, and The Wall Street Journal. I also highly recommend Heather Cox Richardson, Kristin Kobes DuMez, and so many of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative including Barry Piatt, Dave Busiek, and Laura Belin among so many others.
Share what you know. Keep in mind that lots of people don’t know what’s going on. It’s up to us to help our friends and family understand what’s happening.
Call your representatives. The 5 Calls website and app is an invaluable resource that allows you to call your reps with one click. Scripts are provided and you can choose from a long list of issues that you would like to address.
Find out how you can help in your community. There are reports in my hometown of kids not going to school, patients not showing up for medical appointments, and lots of fear and uncertainty. These are our literal neighbors, the people we do life with. Especially if you claim to love Jesus, this is what “love your neighbor as yourself” means. If we can’t get this right, we have missed the entire gospel. Want to read more about this? I highly recommend Jason Leif’s Faith and Immigration Newsletter.
Be brave and kind. Always. In all things. Take a deep breath and say what needs to be said; reach out a hand even if there’s a good chance it’ll be slapped away. “Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (Proverbs 31:8-9 ESV).
Pray. If you’re the praying kind, intercede on behalf of all who are poor in spirit, mourning, and meek. For those who hunger and thirst for righteousness. For the merciful, pure in heart, and peacemakers. Pray for those who are persecuted. And pray for our country and our world.
We can do hard things, friends. More than that, we can love extravagantly and practice radical hospitality and make a difference in our neighborhoods and communities. Perhaps we were born for such a time as this. Perhaps we are the ones we’ve been waiting for. Be brave and kind. I’m standing with you.
Thanks for reading. xoxo - Nicole
I’m a proud member of the Iowa Writers’ Collaborative, a roundup of world-class journalists who call Iowa home. I invite you to check out the group and become a paying member of one or more of our pages.
Thank you Nicole. I've been struggling with some of this myself. I start to write and feel like it's not enough - then it gets too big and sprawling and loses the point. And there is always the question - who will listen? Anyone? If you don't mind, I'll borrow some of your courage today. Maybe I can lend you some of mine tomorrow.
Nicole, I agree with your writing. It is horrifying to see things happening. Bad things are happening to people just like us. Keep your message up for the little people of the world.