Over the weekend, I decided to attend one of the thousands of outdoor gatherings for groups working on the political landscape. This one was in Kansas, some 130 miles away, but close enough to go. My interest was in the state senator and state representative and the house member and the people who attended the event. Yes, it helps me pray when I see first hand the toils of a legislator and the concerns of citizens. Visiting another state increases my perspective.
There were four conversations that play over and over in my mind. I asked the same question of each person. Some folks began with political platitudes and issues and I won't repeat those. These four gave me deep and honest answers that I believe define our national landscape.
The question? "What is impacting your life in our nation?"
One retired gentleman talked about going the the grocery store and checking out with the few items he could afford. After 44 years of working for the same company, his returns from the social security system were just not enough. The family in front of him checked out with a loaded basket. They paid with a "food stamp" card. Let's call this story injustice and indignity. The injustice and indignity of giving a life of contribution to the community and receiving a paltry return while a non-working family seems to be receiving more from his taxes than he is from his contributions. There was no complaint. Just a sadness at the state of injustice and indignity.
Another retired gentleman talked about a grocery store outing. The family at the counter pulled four successive "food stamp" cards before one worked. Hmmmm, where did they get four cards? Was the system being cheated? Did the clerk care? Did anyone care? Let's call this story, "Cheating is okay."
Another story told about a shopping expedition to Lowe's. At the counter, a driver's license was requested for some reason. The man pulled one out. Oh, that is not you. Okay, try this one. Oh, okay, we can use that one. Again, no response by the clerk to what looked to be an illegal situation carrying multiple IDs. Just check out and go forward. Let's call this story, "Stealing is okay."
Another man told of working off and on for the last five years. More off than on, he told me. He had his wife and four children with him munching hot dogs. He came for a little free food and some time away from the drudge. Sure, he told me, he worked at whatever work he could get, but had not had a real job for five years. Let's call this story, "Where is the chance to work?"
An assistant to one of the politicians told me how he was going to work on his masters in public administration. However, at his twenty-something age, he had given up on being a politician. The stress he witnessed on the man he served was horrendous. The media and others seemed to continually challenge and accuse in personal manners every time a bill was put forward or a statement made. Let's call this story, "Where is civility?"
Then a few minutes ago, I read a monologue of a bitter teacher in our school system. Seems she was confident parents, politicians, administrators, ministers, et al.. were putting undue pressures on teachers to perform miracles with undisciplined children. The stress was tiring. Let's call this story, "Where is responsibility?"
When you lay aside the "issues" and listen to the impact of our cultural landscape, a disturbing tale unfolds of a society struggling with moral and ethical belief and behavior. Qualities like thankfulness and responsibility and honesty and graciousness and just reward and self control and lawful respect seem to be hidden. They exist. Every person to whom I talked could describe what it feels like when it is going right and when it is going wrong. We know these qualities. We just forget them at appropriate moments and allow them to slide in favor of personal gain.
My Prayer?
Father, how far we have come from where we started in our nation. Painful moments seem to be the norm and not the exception. In such a blessed nation with incredible resources, we struggle with simple human qualities of thankfulness and gratitude and responsible behavior and commitment. Bring honesty to our hearts and actions. Help us to engage graciousness and right living in our daily moments. Give us leaders to demonstrate moral and ethical living. Give us wisdom to look into the mirror and adjust our own life to what we know is right and just and fair and gracious and peaceful and joyful.
Guide us, Father, into a new reality of strengthened living full of moral and ethical stability. Let each of us fully live what we know to live even in the most tempting moments. Fill us with good personal discretion in our choices.
Father, surely I admit I slip and fall and give in to selfish ambition and selfish fulfillment when I could choose to give and be grateful. Heal me, Father, and those that walk with me. Bring a giving heart of serving each other into our national consciousness. Let us lead and walk daily with service in mind. Let service to family and friend and community and business begin in each of our hearts and take priority over serving self.
Phil Larson 405-388-8037
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Usually, I do not receive negative comments. In fact I still haven't.
ReplyDeleteA friend noted to me that I might be repeating a judgmental attitude in telling one of these stories. I apologize if that came through. It is not intended. I worked hard to represent the feeling of the person telling the story and note an illness we have in our nation. It is a tough line to walk.
Another friend noted I should have included a story from one receiving government assistance. I like that idea and will listen for that story. Of course four of the five people telling the stories are on some form of government assistance, I just did not note that fact.
Thanks for being friends.