Dear Friends,
We hope that you are safe and well.
Today's Meditation is "You're Braver that You Believe" by Maren Tirabassi. She incorporates the theme "no enemies" and the philosophy of Winnie the Pooh. Don't miss the short YouTube video on the philosophy of Winnie the Pooh; the link is at the end of the written meditation.
We invite you to join us as we commit ourselves to working tirelessly to end systemic and structural racism in our society, in the church, in healthcare, in the workplace--wherever it shows up so that everyone may come to have more abundant life. May this meditation nourish our contemplative-active hearts and sustain all of us in action.
In the spirit of our philosophy of co-creating community and our awareness that the Spirit speaks through each of us, we invite you to share your meditations with us as well. We truly believe that it is God's economy of abundance: when we share our blessings, our thoughts, our feelings, we are all made richer.
We hope and pray that you find peace, healing, hope and the infusion of joy in your life!
With our love and care,
Ron and Jean
MEDITATION 598: You're Braver that You Believe: "No Enemies" and The Philosophy of Winnie the Pooh
Daily Devotional
Daily Devotional
You're Braver than You Believe
Maren Tirabassi
“But I say to you that listen, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you.” - Luke 6: 27 (NRSV)
There are always bullies, I think as I look at the two preschoolers. Maybe one of these kids will be bullied; maybe one will bully someone else. Certainly, both will choose to challenge a bullying situation or stay quiet. They will learn soon about the concept “enemy.”
They will be taught to avoid enemies. They will be taught to fight enemies. But love enemies?
I’m babysitting the little boys, so I ask, “What programs can they watch? On what kind of screen? For how long?” That question ranks in babysitting importance alongside tree-nut allergies, pacifiers at naptime, and what-should-happen-when-they-hit-each-other.
When the answer comes back “Paw Patrol,” “Stinky and Dirty,” or “Winnie the Pooh,” I ask why, because it seems a really random selection.
Mom replies, “No enemies.” I still look blank, because she continues, car keys in hand. “I want my kids to see things that inspire them to be courageous and resourceful without fighting villains. They’re not too young to want to be rescuers and learn it’s okay to be rescued, but not because there’s some evil Skeletor, Scar, Ursula, or even Boris Badenov.”
It makes me think.
It will be easier to help them (and me, too) love enemies, the longer I hold off labeling the-people-who-do-bad-things-to-me-and-those-I-love as aliens rather than people. Reading or watching stories about helping in tough situations that are villain-free but involve rocks blocking a highway, a chicken stranded on a water tower, or a birthday forgotten, builds resilience and problem-solving.
“You're braver than you believe, stronger than you seem, and smarter than you think.” (AA Milne)
Prayer
God, teach me the kindness of Piglet and help me look at my world with the “what if” ingenuity of a cartoon garbage truck, so that I can choose love and helping.
John Edgerton
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Maren Tirabassi contributed this devotional (edited for length) to Hard and Holy: Devotions for Parenting, a collection of spiritual encouragement and practical solidarity and messy joy. Order Hard and Holy here.
The Philosophy of Winnie the Pooh
https://youtu.be/NvnsSqnZOME