Light a Candle

As I sit here our new president is being sworn into office.  I cannot watch.  It is too painful.  My stomach is in knots and my heart hurts.  This is a dark day in American history.  I am sitting in my room next to a small table.  On it are several crosses, some rocks and glass stones, a white stone with the word “justice” and three small candles, all lit.  My favorite candle is the heart-shaped one in the middle.  I am focusing on the light.

Donald Trump is now our president.  That is difficult to accept but there is nothing I can do about it.  I refuse to focus on this man and the damage I fear he will do to the country I love.  Instead I will concentrate on what I can do.

The one—and only—positive thing I see coming from this new president is the mobilization of progressive Americans.  For example, here in Idaho Planned Parenthood began receiving a flood of donations and new volunteers the day after the election.  Our Idaho Democratic Party, which is small, also has a lot of volunteers.  Groups of concerned citizens are forming to stand up and fight for what they value.  This is happening all over the country.  Tomorrow, thousands and thousands of women, and the men who love them, will march in Washington, D.C. to state that women’s rights are human rights.  There are hundreds of sister marches all over the country.  Here in Boise our march was organized by two high school girls.  This gives me hope.

What will I do?

Tomorrow I will walk with other Idaho citizens in the Women’s March on Idaho from the Idaho State Capitol to Boise City Hall.  I will continue to participate in marches, rallies, and vigils to take a public stand for justice for all people.  I will continue to wear black and carry signs to demonstrate with Add the 4 Words to bring equality for LGBT people in this state.

 I will work with the interfaith coalition I began 3 years ago to stand up for LGBT rights.  We have expanded our focus to cover other progressive issues.  Our four pillars are: Climate Change, Religious Respect, Economic Justice, and Human Rights & Equality.  Interest in our coalition is growing, especially among clergy.  I am inspired by the faithful, passionate, and articulate clergy who I work with on the steering committee and larger planning team.  While we are just getting started with new plans for this year, our prayer vigils will continue in front of the Capitol each Wednesday while the legislature is in session. 

 I will work with fellow United Methodists on justice issues. I am excited about attending a justice conference next month in Portland.  Our keynote speaker will be a new bishop recently appointed in our Western Jurisdiction—a lesbian, much to the dismay of many in our denomination.  I look forward to meeting and sharing ideas with other progressive Methodists.  How do we change our church?  How do we change our world?

 I will try to be more diligent about contacting my senators and representatives in Congress.  I live in a very red state so I rarely agree with the men who supposedly represent me.  Contacting them seems like a waste of time so I have to remind myself that it is still important to give them my opinion.  When election time rolls around again, I will work to support people who better represent my values. ·         

I will wear my safety pin so people who are fearful will know that I am a safe person and that I will support them.  I take this statement seriously and will do all I can to stand up for marginalized people. 

Do not be afraid! (This is repeated many times in the Bible.)   I refuse to let fear of what might happen stop me.  I am determined to make a difference in my community, spreading love and joy instead of hate.  I believe that my energy is best spent working locally; there is plenty to do here.  I will carry my little candle into the darkness and together with my fellow citizens we will begin to light our world once again.