Reflections On Humanity

This post was written on July 5, 2021. It is a stream-of- consciousness following the holiday weekend.

I was raised to appreciate being American. I know that the Fourth of July is not something all Americans feel like celebrating, especially after the last year we have experienced. I know for some, that seems unpatriotic. This is not a political post; please keep reading.

I love to celebrate our nation’s birthday…245 yesterday. And I love a good fireworks display! My family has celebrated the 4th in grand and small ways over the years, from being in Boston for the Pops to hosting back yard barbeques. The last few years our family has gathered at our house. We do not have to go anywhere for fireworks. From our house we can see large fireworks displays near and far in the Puget Sound area. These don’t usually start before 10:30, so this year, after our family left and the dishes were done, my husband and I tuned into a PBS classic: A Capitol Fourth, while we waited. Not usually my thing, but I was drawn in when Pentatonix performed “Seasons of Love” from the musical Rent. This song wrecks me every time, especially in this season of my life. The lyrics begin:

Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
Five hundred twenty-five thousand moments so dear
Five hundred twenty-five thousand six hundred minutes
How do you measure? Measure a year?

How about love? Apropos for the last year in our country. The song is timeless because from the beginning of humanity, we were imperfect. We could all use a little more love, show a little more kindness, nurture our friendships a little more intentionally.

The day before the holiday, I was in a retail store replacing some plates. I was counting my stack of plates when a store associate approached me and asked if I was receiving coupon texts from the store. I replied that I had in the past, but for some reason, do not anymore. She gave me a number to text, and when I entered the number, I saw in my text thread that, at some point, I had texted “stop.” We both laughed. She asked if she could take the plates to the counter and start wrapping them while I shopped. I really had not intended to shop…I was on a mission, but I thought why not?

In this short exchange, I could not help but notice the colorful thematic design on her face that is best described as something not quite face paint, but not quite makeup either. I was impressed with her boldness in this display of support for a cause, especially at work! I complemented her on the design. Her face lit up and she said, “Tomorrow it will be red, white, and blue!”

I made my way through the store, picking up a couple of things I didn’t know I needed until I saw them. After checking out I reached for the cart. The same associate pushed my hand away and said she would carry them to my car. After she loaded the plates into my car, I said thank you. She sighed and said, “Thank you for being so nice.” I was taken aback. Have we really come to this? She was thanking me for being a decent human? Our conversation had been so brief, not even like the southern kind. Perhaps I had just taken a moment to see her.

I am not always nice. Who is? Certain situations bring out the worst in me, but that is not what today’s post is about. I’ll save that for another day. Today I challenge you to be a decent human to just one stranger, one person. Regardless of your religious, political or social convictions, regardless of whatever your cause is today or if you have no cause, I encourage you to mark the next 525,600 minutes of your life with love. With kindness. Notice someone today; see them.  Life on this earth is too short to let anything steal your time, joy, relationships. Too short to wound fellow humans.

So, this year as I celebrated our nation’s birthday, I paused to consider the unrest, the fatigue, the unkindness, the lack of grace. I spent time in reflection over what my life has been as a grateful American. I want to leave you today with prayer for our nation. It was written and prayed over my church on July 4^th by my beautiful black sister, friend, and co-worker, Pastor Barbara Kelley.

Prayer for our Nation 2021

“Thank you, almighty God, for the home of the brave and the land of the free. We are grateful that we have the freedom to worship you, and we are thankful for what you have done from generation to generation. We acknowledge the sins of man, and we know that you are not like man. We recognize and affirm that there is no darkness in you and that you are good, holy, and righteous, and there is none like you.

You are the God of our past, our today, and our future. So, we turn to you and ask for your mercy to cover us and protect us from the snares and traps of the evil one. Remind us that we are foreigners passing through and that you have armed us with your grace, love, and the power of forgiveness so that our lights shine brightly, and our lives glorify you. Our nation belongs to you, and we know that you will set all things right, and you will make a way where there seems to be no way. The stain of tears and the pain of humanity has hurt us all, but we will not stop believing in your sovereignty, your justice, and your truth. You are the hope and light of the world!

Lord, please, hover over our nation and bless what is right, pure, and holy in your sight. Whatever is not from you, we reject it in the name of Jesus, and as your people, we bind ourselves to your perfect will for all humanity. We declare supernatural healing and restoration over our nation, and we thank you for your patience, grace, and mercy!

God bless us and heal our land!”

Thank you for reading. Until next time, I am living Between the Scans.

Click here to view Pentatonix’s performance of Seasons of Love