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bbishpop's avatar

I am a NICU social worker and today, a mama was sobbing at her baby's isolette because her baby had taken a bad turn and was going to be transferred to a higher level hospital. I put my hand on her shoulder and she turned and I hugged her. She snuggled her snot-streaming eyes pouring face into my cheek and neck and shirt. I just held her. And prayed for both of our safety as we violated social distancing. I washed my face, threw my shirt away and put surgical level germ killer on my skin. But I am still scared. And I would do it again. Not because I am brave. Because I can't not do it.

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Rev. Cindy LaJoy's avatar

"But Faith in God does not bring you safety.

The fox still exists.

Danger still exists.

And by that I mean, danger is not optional, but fear is."

What an important statement to make, that God does not bring you safety. Many of my Christian brothers and sisters would say quite the opposite, and speak of a sort of Divine Superpower Protection if only they pray hard enough, if only they show enough goodness in their lives...as if we could ever be good enough that God is going to look upon a few of us and say, "Hey...you! YOU are SOOOOOOO Good! I will keep you safe, but those other people? They can go to..." well, you know ;-)

Theology is complicated, personal, irrational at moments (Isn't all faith?) and it sadly often dictates how we are with others in the world based upon our very human understanding of the Spirit That Moves Among Us. And I don't know about anyone else, but I sure don't want to follow and listen to a Spirit that is as lacking in compassion and understanding as I can sometimes be.

Faith doesn't bring us to safety, but faith can bring us peace...acceptance...comfort...during those dangerous times, during THESE scary times. The danger still exists. This all reminds me of the quote, "Speak even if your voice shakes." Maybe it is God whose presence surrounds us in the danger who doesn't magically keep us safe, but gives us the courage to speak.

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