What to say on the eve of November 2024? It’s hard to know how things will unfold, but I’m drawing strength from a new book, The Small and the Mighty by Sharon McMahon. It’s the story of twelve “unsung Americans who changed the course of history.” One of the themes McMahon draws on is that these twelve people committed to doing what they could, where they were, with what they had, to address what was needed. She tells stories of those who helped welcome newcomers to their frontier communities, those who worked for suffrage, those who expanded educational opportunities, those who quietly shared their resources, those who made art and wrote words of inspiration.
America, McMahon says, at her best is just, peaceful, good, and free. These aspirations are articulated in the United States’ founding documents, and although they have never yet been fully realized, for all the people of this country in all places, they are aspirations worth striving for. In fact, we’ll probably never fully attain them for more than a moment – life and people are a complicated, chaotic system, so perfectly matching our reality and our aspirations can only be fleeting.
I find this freeing, rather than discouraging. No matter what is happening, it’s clear to me that there will be more to do to move closer to the ideals of a country that is just, peaceful, good, and free. And that if the big picture feels overwhelming or discouraging, there is still so much to value in doing what we can, where we are, with what we have. Help feed someone who is hungry, connect with someone who is lonely, welcome someone who is new, reassure someone who is wondering if they can belong. These actions are the work of America in every season, the foundation on which so much rests.
One local action does not alter a grand system or circumstance, it’s true. But it does accomplish two important things: it reminds each of us that we have the power to make changes for the better in our world, and it reminds those around us that we are all in this together and not alone. Don’t stop there. But do start there.
Warmly,
Rev. Monica
