Friday Note - written by CFO Karyn Huffman

This week’s Friday Note is written by LCSNW CFO Karyn Huffman, in response to the shooting this week in Boulder, Colo.

David

Yet again.  
I imagine for some, two more mass shootings draw us into an old story or memory. Eighteen more innocent people killed by two young men with powerful guns. Six days apart. Separated by 1,422 miles of hills, rivers, trees, plains, and fields.
We know the all-too-familiar rituals, this time playing out in Atlanta and Boulder. Media trucks and reporters packed like tumbleweeds jammed into a fence, waiting for the wind to shift and blow them toward the next news story. Flower bouquets, candles, crosses, teddy bears, and photos build a small mountain on the sidewalk. The fences bear witness to grief. 

Not again.

We quietly utter or shout, “Not again.” We search for answers. We grieve. We look for justice on behalf of the victims, families, and communities. Some want lawmakers to act. Some respond with greater self-protection. Others are more wary and aware of their surroundings.
Not again. It is too much. Too much violence. Too much fear.
  Too much of broken dreams and broken lives. Too much brokenness.  
     Too much of war….and cruelty…Too much, Lord. Too bloody, bruising much.

And Yet.

And Yet. In the midst of all of the din of too much-ness, we at LCSNW deliver “more.” We make a way for Health. We walk along the side of Justice. We reach a hand out and lift up Hope. We do for the fearful, the poor, the bruised, the broken, those suffering from mental illness, those wounded, alone, and hopeless. We bring health, justice, and hope to each other. One person at a time. One family at a time. In the communities we serve. 

Do we deliver “more” perfectly? No one can. And Yet. What we do one person at a time is say, “Yes” to Hope. How? Bring every day your Compassion. Your Understanding. Your Courage. Your Daring. Your Persistence. Your Sacrifice. Your Professionalism. Your Laughter. Your Tears. Your Celebration. Your Presence. By doing so, you:
·       Turn swords into plowshares
·       Melt guns into tools of medicine
·       Turn random acts from violence into random acts of kindness.
For those who live in the Jewish tradition, Passover begins tomorrow, March 27. For those who live in the Christian tradition, Sunday begins Holy Week. For those steeped in these traditions, this week marks the move from fear and hopelessness to hope and celebrating life.
May each of you celebrates your very important place in the saying “Not again” to violence and a resounding, loud, “And Yes!” to Health, Justice, and Hope through your service and in your personal lives. 

David

Health, Justice and Hope