Together on the Journey:
A Weekly Blog 

It’s been a hard few weeks.

The invasion of Venezuela, the threats about Greenland, and the death of Renee Good seem to have shifted something. I can’t say exactly what, but something that feels like a tipping point may have been crossed.

And I wish I could say I knew what was going to happen, but sadly I don’t.

As a faith leader, I find it difficult to preach on what’s going on in the news, mostly because I worry about saying the wrong thing, or offending someone, or getting it wrong. Most of all, I worry I will hold the thing wrong, read the mood incorrectly, and somehow make everything worse.

But today, I need to say something.

It’s not uncommon for someone to tell me they hate Trump. I understand that the instruction from Jesus to love our enemies is difficult when applied to him. I get it. And I pray about it. I pray to want to pray for Donald Trump.

And it’s hard to know what to say in times like these. It’s hard to hold hope when the news feels heavy on our shoulders.

When I was doomscrolling this week, I came across a post from one of my favourite Christian authors, Ann Lamott, and I was reminded of her advice on what to do in times like these.

Anne tells us to breathe, to take care of the suffering and the poor (including ourselves), to donate whatever we can afford, to go outside and look at the miracle. If we are a praying person, she tells us to pray.

And that’s what I did today.

Trapped in a doomscrolling session, I put down my phone and went outside. I walked along Dundas (admittedly not the best nature-y destination), got a coffee, and took some breaths. I prayed to God, seeking assurance that God has got this. That God is in this with us.

And while I didn’t get answers, I did feel better; and that’s a start. Or maybe it’s an answered prayer. Maybe going outside would make you feel better too.

In the days and weeks to come, I pray for better days and better news. In the meantime, may we hold each other in loving community. And most importantly, since we are praying people, let us pray.

– Jess