Be The Other Than

 Just when I think I can't see any more awful news from the kakistocracy, I saw that they not only pirated a ship in international waters, but they voted to give $900 million to the military. This, at the same time as they have gutted SNAP benefits for people - ironically, the same Cloud Dancer™ people who voted for this area realizing they were the ones who needed the assistance - and have yet to fully fund the ACA. These same people with lifetime healthcare and lifetime pensions. 

It has been a work, exhausting and beyond emotional, to try to maintain a semblance of hope in these dark times. It has taken all that this one has to hold on and be a light of hope for others.

So, in part of my Advent devotions, I turned back to the Gospel of Luke to read the account of that brown skinned Palestinian Jew, born of a teenage mother, had a much older step-father, had no place other than lay his head, and was by all accounts, a man without means. After spending years in my post-seminary studies absorbing the words of the poets, historians, prophets, and writers who were capturing emotions during times of political upheaval, economic unrest, and ethnic cleansing, I wanted to go back and spend some time considering the actual actions and words of this young man.

Something stood out to me today, in this entire historical account,  how much the ones in power were against anyone who would bring a glimmer of hope or relief to people suffering. It didn't matter what particular kind of suffering, the people were under a yoke and couldn't breathe. They needed relief.

Now, relief for those oppressed means that those in power no longer have the chains to keep them bound. They definitely didn't want any of that and were trying to figure out ways to stop it, to rile the people up, to sow seeds of doubt and discord.

It sounds so familiar to me, not just recalling all the psychological damage that has been done to the nation since January 2025 when this regime took over, but going back to 2008 when the entire onslaught started first as a trickle and then a flood. 

What, then, stood out to me in my reading today, was the way this young man, Jesus, kept repeating, "How Terrible for you..." he was addressing those in places of religious, political, and economic power. Their time was coming to an end. He called out their sins of neglect and basically read them for who they were. 

These actions reminded me of the fearlessness of a few elected and public figures who know that one day, we will all come to an end on this earth, so they might as well use their voice and time to speak the truth.

In the end, I do know and believe truth will win out, that there are more of us, more people who genuinely want people to be able to live the fullness of their lives without fear or oppression. I know that the Universe is listening, I know that this moment feels so very heavy, but light is coming. That, also, is the story of Advent. 

Light is coming for us all, but particularly as a raw of hope for the other-than.

Light shines brightest in darkness.

Light guides.

Light warms.

Light soothes.

So, in this, in all of t his, be the other than, be the ones who stand tall, who walk in grace and love, peace and hope, be the ones to be brave.

©2025. Sipping a lavender latte looking out over the horizon glimpsing a better tomorrow.