Two Sundays ago, during our live-streamed worship service, many left comments and greetings. Among them were the words in today’s post title: May goodness define us. A member of our congregation wrote these words for all to read. His choice of words jumped off the computer screen at me. And I knew at that moment what I wanted to do with them.
I wrote them out on a small Post-it note and placed it near my computer. When I felt judgmental about someone’s words or actions toward others, I’d read these words. And I’d stop myself from throwing out a quick rebuttal with four words: May goodness define us. Friends, it is working.
Today I share them here in the hope of others doing the same. How you ask? By spreading thought-provoking reflection throughout the land. Here’s a suggestion to begin.
Take a few moments to look at the image above. Its creator calls it a photomontage of human faces.
Look closely and find one or more of the following in the image:
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Young and old;
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Black, white, and other colors representing a variety of ethnicities;
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Male, female, LBGTQ+;
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Doctors, nurses, lawyers, accountants, politicians, teachers, ministers and more;
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Parents and grandparents, siblings, aunts and uncles, cousins;
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Some connected by DNA and a family tree;
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Others connected by a relationship founded in friendship;
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And the list could go on forever.
And yet, in the Creator’s eyes we are all the same. We are His children.
Too often we judge others in haste. We get caught up in a short-tempered state of mind. Usually, we base our feelings on differences among us or as a means to stay in good standing with someone else. These actions are disgraceful, morally wrong, and vile. My words may sound harsh to you, but imagine how your words or actions sound or feel to the person you judge.
In order for goodness to define us, we must return to our center. We have to get back to the Source of light and life. Move through today’s crises and uncover a new justice and reality and allow goodness to define you. So dig deep to find where the light shines forth. It is the place where you can find the inherent beauty of those around you, whoever and wherever they are. And here we will celebrate the wholeness and unity in our diversity. From there perhaps we will find the peace we all long for.
In the Book of Micah, we read these words:
He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.
And what does the Lord require of you?
To act justly and to love mercy
and to walk humbly with your God.Micah 6:8 (NIV)
Featured image attribution: Gerd Altmann from Pixabay
Amen…
Thanks, Bette! Perfect comment.
Yep. Do justly; love mercy; be humble. Thank you Sherrey!!
Genevieve, love seeing you here. Thanks for the affirmation in your words.
Hi Sherrey,
Your message is timely and worth sharing. If our nation is ever going to get through this dissension and hatred, we need to change and follow “May Goodness Define Us.” What a great slogan! Thank you.
Chuck, glad you found my post worth sharing. Yes, as a notion, we have to change and dismiss the hatred and dissension we’re living with. Thanks for reading!
Beautiful thoughts, Sherrey. We can all use this powerful reminder to stop and soak up those words “ may goodness define us”.Thank you for sharing.
Kathy, thanks so much for your gracious words. I love the image of “stop and soak up” the words in this statement. So glad to “see” your smiling face. Hope you and your family are well and safe.
There is so much GOOD here, in your post and in all the comments. I echo my Amen and will share this!
Marian, I appreciate your gracious comments. I love the “I echo my Amen” and thanks for sharing.
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