More mother love, please

Photo by Jordan Whitt on Unsplash

Sunday morning was cold at Inner City Pastoral Ministry -- and everywhere else. We opened the doors early to let people in for hot coffee or tea before our Sunday service, and shared the few warm clothing items we had. We're completely out of gloves, so some of our people put socks on their hands, better than nothing. 

After the service and handing out our usual 200 cups of coffee and lunches (and double the fruit because yours truly made a mistake in my contact with the groups donating on Sunday) there were two people who refused to leave the main room where we have our worship. Our pastor, Quinn, patiently explained that they had to leave because we had to lock up, but they refused, several times, and finally he told them that if they didn't go, he'd have to call the cops to take them out. It was a tense situation.

The young man who had dug in his heels the hardest, cursing and lashing out, complained that he had no gloves (even though Quinn had given him some when he first came in) and when Quinn brought them to him a second time, he made a show of not being able to get his hands into them (stalling so he wouldn't have to go out in the cold with the others). Somehow, I flipped into "mother mode" and helped him like you would help a toddler who hasn't quite mastered their mittens, commenting that it seemed like he needed a bit of "mother love." 

Of course he did. Don't we all when we're struggling? As the words came out of my mouth, they went straight to my heart. I looked him in the eye as I set the toque on his head and gently turned back the brim, and my heart was filled with tenderness, like he was my own child. He left without further struggle or comment.

Then we turned to the young woman in tights and t-shirt who was sitting on the floor in front of a pile of clothing she had just pulled out of a dryer in the back corner of the room. She had her hands over her ears and was rocking back and forth, sobbing and saying, "Don't touch me! Don't touch me!" 

I stood near and watched her for a few moments, and when she quieted, my best mom voice said, "You're having a hard time. Is there a way I can help you?" Something shifted, and she looked up, holding out her hands, which were chapped and bleeding. "I don't want to get blood on my clean clothes." She got up and put on a pair of the sanitary rubber gloves we use because of covid-19, and started to dress herself, but couldn't do up zippers or buttons because of the loose fitting gloves.

Once again, "mother mode" took over, but her fly button was a bit tight. "Suck it in there, girl," I said, and immediately we were both giggling for as long as it took me to button her up. When she finished dressing, I helped her put the remainder of her clothes in a bag, and as she went out the door she said, "Can I help you? Would you like me to take out the garbage?"

We all need mother love. And right now, our world definitely needs mother love. Ukraine and Russia need mother love... the love that extends patience, calms anxiety, settles fights, and tells bullies to step down from their posturing and aggression. I feel like someone needs to take Vladimir Putin and his Duma by the ears and say, "Smarten up, you're not the only pebble on the beach," a phrase my mom used on me, and that I've used on my kids many times. 

But the world doesn't always work like that (if they haven't killed their own mothers, I wouldn't put it past them), so all we can do is pray for Mother Love to find a way. 

Mothering God,

fill our hearts with love like yours.

Remind us that we are all your children,

equally beloved,

and equally responsible for one another's well being.

Help us to behave like family members

who really love one another

and who seek the good of each other

rather than our own narrow agendas.

Reach into the hearts of those doing wrong

and remind them to change their ways.

Give us mothering hearts

because we all need love

above all other things.

+Amen.

For Ukraine

A couple of special friends -- well, so many Canadians, really -- are very worried for their country of origin. My favourite prayer for peace has been running through my head incessantly these last few days. 

For Maryana, Pavlo, their mom, Luba, in West Ukraine, for all in the regions under threat of violence -- and especially for a change of heart in the aggressors. 

Grant us your peace, O God, may it fill all our days...

Sunday Reflection: A prayer that moves my heart (in all directions)

Here's a gorgeous prayer from among the many prayed at the Inner City Pastoral Ministry, which is my favourite place to pray these days. I wish I knew who wrote it so I could give them credit and thank them for its beautiful words...

Prayer to the Great Spirit

Great Spirit of Love,

come to us with the power of the north.

Make us courageous when the cold winds fall upon us.

Give us strength and endurance for everything that is harsh,

everything that hurts, and everything that makes us squint.

Let us move through life ready to accept what comes from the north.

Great Spirit of the east,

come to us with power of the rising sun.

Let there be life in our words.

Let there be light on the path we walk.

Let us remember always that you give the gift of a new day, 

and never let us be burdened with sorrow when starting over.

Great Spirit of creation, 

send us the warmth and the soothing winds from the south. 

Comfort us and caress us when we're tired and cold.

Unfold us like your gentle breezes.

Unfold the leaves on the trees.

As you give to all your earth the warm moving wind,

give to us so that we may grow close to you in warmth.

Great Spirit of life,

we face the west, the direction of sundown.

Let us remember that the moment will come for our sun to go down.

Never let us forget that we fade into you.

Give us beautiful colour, give us a great sky for setting,

so that when it is time to meet you, we can come with glory.

Giver of all life, we pray to you from the earth,

that we need to be thankful for the earth,

and never to walk hurtfully in the world.

Bless us with eyes to love what comes from Mother Earth,

and teach us how to love your gifts.

Great Spirit of the heavens,

lift us up to you that our hearts may worship you

and come to you in glory.

Hold in our memories that you are our Creator,

greater than us, and eager for our good life.

Let everything that is in the world lift our minds and lives to you

so that we may come to you always, in truth and in heart.

+Amen

* * * * * * *

After a week of high anxiety for protestors and counter-protestors, police action and inaction, I wonder how on earth we can become a more united country, and help our communities feel safe once again. 

So I asked Farley this morning about a folk song he sang last weekend, one that hit me as just right for these times of division among Canadians. It's a gorgeous song by Bob Franke, an Episcopalian minister, says Farley, and it's sung here by Sally Rogers, who has a gorgeous voice. Gratitude to Lisa-Marie, who posted it to Youtube so we can hear it all year round, not just Thanksgiving Eve...

From "small and chill" gathering to Healthcare Appreciation Party!

My kiddo and I, just the two of us, had a wonderful time making healthcare folks smile on Saturday morning on the Health Sciences LRT platform across from the U of A hospital. Folks coming off night shift were a bit wary until they realized we were there just to say THANK YOU. One of them posted the picture you see here on a social media platform with the caption "Feels nice seeing this at the end of night shift, Thank You." 

But it's them who deserve the thanks for all they are doing and have done through this pandemic. So we're going to meet them again this Saturday morning, at Grey Nuns Hospital this time. If you want to join us, we'll be at the west staff door for an hour at 7 am February 19 to cheer for the folks coming on or off shift. Don't forget to wear a mask in solidarity with them!

The more the merrier!

A "small and chill" gathering of support for healthcare workers

Right now, many of our healthcare workers are running on fumes, and our premier and freedom convoys aren't helping matters. Hospital folks are feeling bullied, and some of us are no longer willing to be bystanders. So if you're in Edmonton, please join us for a "small and chill" (as one of my kids likes to say) early morning gathering to offer health care workers our support.

Time: Saturday morning, February 12th, 6:30 - 8:30 am.

Place: Health Sciences LRT platform across from the Main Doors (114 St) at the U of A Hospital. 

I know it's early, but that's shift change when workers are either coming on or off shift and catching the LRT. They get up early/stay up late for us every day, so I'm willing to give up a weekend sleep-in for them. Come for part or all of the 2 hours. 

Here's how it works:

1. Wear a mask (all of the healthcare folks do it for us every day, and we're standing in solidarity with them). Be sure to spread out on the platform. No Covid-19 transfers allowed!

2. Bring your own morning beverage if needed, and a friend if you can talk them into it.

3. Wave a sign that shows you appreciate the folks who work in the hospital. Thank you, we love you, whatever you want to say. (Failing that, learn to sing Skinna-marinky-dinky-dink, Skinna-marinky-doo, we love you!)

4. Smile at people who smile at you.

5. Ignore anyone who is not supportive of our healthcare folks. Do not engage. (I'm not expecting many of those that early in the day).

Option: If the U of A Hospital is not where you want to be, there are other hospitals and healthcare folks who would appreciate support, too -- set up your own "small and chill" gathering at another hospital (but remember not to crowd hospital entrances -- stand across the street or the security guards/law enforcement might not like you).

If you're not in Edmonton, maybe consider starting your own gathering?

If you are in Edmonton, I hope you'll join us in solidarity and support of the people who work so hard to try to keep us healthy... Heaven knows they deserve a LOT of love!!!

When freedom is misused

My heart is broken for what is happening in our country right now.

The very idea of freedom is being misused.

Freedom is a gift, not an entitlement.

Freedom does not mean being able to do whatever I want.

Freedom comes with responsibility to care for the most vulnerable in our midst.

I know too many people who have died of Covid-19.

I would argue that lives, not money, are what need to be defended right now.

The lives of our seniors, little ones, burnt out and exhausted heathcare workers, our vulnerable communities throughout the country, and all who are unable to be vaccinated.

People who are unable -- not unwilling -- to be vaccinated.

Yes, people are free to complain when they don't like things. 

But demanding their way when it endangers other people is just plain self-absorbed, selfish, sinful.

As a society it seems we've gotten used to having our own way -- and forgotten, or chosen to ignore the concept of sacrifice for the common good.

Which value is higher? Living without a mask? Or living, period?

Personal freedom? Or love for one another?

I don't know about you, but I know that love is the bottom line.

And love extends even to those we disagree with.

It's just really hard to love someone when you can't talk with them because the horns are too loud.

And even if we could talk, would anything change?

Are we at a stalemate?

Or would you like to tell me how you're feeling about your freedom at this moment?

My heart is broken for what is happening in my country right now.

So I think I'll listen to my wise friend, Farley, once again -- and pray for love to turn all us hard cases into soft hearts... so we can find common ground once more.