"I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy. Returning hate for hate multiplies hate, adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars. Darkness cannot drive out darkness: only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate: only love can do that."
- Martin Luther King, Jr.
I keep thinking how hate often begets hate, and how it traps us into a cycle of despair and loss. No one really wins. I'm not saying I disagree with the actions the US took to take down Bin Laden, and I have the utmost respect for and gratitude to our military. I guess I'm just feeling contemplative today, and thinking a lot about how God's purpose for us is to love. That seems so elementary and broad, but the message of the homily this past Sunday really stuck with me. It was all about finding peace, showing peace, and maintaining that peace. Not just peace in the world, but finding our inner peace by being in step with God and staying spiritually close to Him. I am a control freak and it is a daily battle against anxiety and worry when I don't feel in complete control of my situation. Needless to say, I felt very convicted that I need to learn to trust in God and His plans, promises and purposes for us. This commitment to peace can spread like wildfire. It's positive energy is contagious, and I pray that everyday inspires us to make that commitment within ourselves and to those around us, so that we can build a community of peace that shows love and faithfulness even when there is so much darkness surrounding us. Gosh, I sound like I'm drinking the coolaid, and maybe it's the pregnancy hormone cocktail that's making me so sentimental, but as we're about to bring a little life into this unstable world, all I want is for her (and our future children) to know the blessings and goodness of life.
Our baby is evidence that love begets love. She is given to us because Adam and I made a commitment to love one another for the rest of our lives. I know, I know. I'm a sap. But I rejoice in my cheesiness (since jadedness and cynicism are known to make an appearance every now and then, too). Anticipating the birth of our first child is such an unique experience that I know we'll never have again. I choose to embrace the sappy, sentimentality of it and look upon the goodness and innocence of a new life, bundled up in a little baby. The world may be in constant chaos, but I am grateful for the peace that God promises us every single day.
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