Spin Cycle

Lately, I've been seeing a lot of blog posts that include lists of things for which the author is thankful. It's that time of year: Thanksgiving give some of us in this country a much-needed moment to pause and think about those things we are grateful for. Many of these posts touch on similar things: around the holidays, we all tend to think of our friends, family, and other loved ones. Sometimes it might be our work or church that we are grateful for, and sometimes it's something as simple as having the time to relax for an afternoon with a book.

The thing is, we should take more time to be thoughtful and thankful; we need more moments of contemplation and gratitude. Why should there be only one day of the year where we pause and take stock of where we are and which gifts God has granted us? We spend so much time rushing ahead to the next thing to accomplish, to check off our to-do lists, or looking backward in regret, that we forget to live in the present tense.

So today, I am stopping, thinking, and thanking God for these things:

I am thankful that today I caught myself singing aloud to the Christmas music playing in a store where I was shopping, and I smiled at myself. I even tossed a package of Christmas cards into my basket -- I actually am looking forward to writing personalized notes in Christmas cards to my family and friends, and connecting in this small but intimate way. I am thankful that I have chosen to not feel stressed or rushed about the impending Christmas holidays, and instead have been contemplating the meaning of this season.

I am thankful that I have a solid group of friends who support and love me, who listen when I tell them what's worrying me. I am thankful that I spent the evening with others, sharing the simple joys of eating cookies and watching A Charlie Brown Christmas.

I am even thankful for my trip to the DMV today, where I was surprised to learn I had to take a driving test again. The woman administering the test was interested to learn about my life at seminary, and told me I had inspired her to start looking for a home church again. I am thankful for the chance to come through what could have been an annoying and stressful experience with grace and an opportunity to reach out to someone exploring her faith.

Today, in honor of Veterans Day, President Bush attended what the Associated Press calls a “tearful ceremony” for four dead Texan soldiers who died in the military conflict in Iraq.

"In their sorrow, these families need to know — and families all across our nation of the fallen — need to know that your loved ones served a cause that is good and just and noble," Bush said. "And as their commander in chief, I make you this promise: Their sacrifice will not be in vain."

A cause that good and just and noble? How is this war good? Good for whom? Where is the justice? War is never noble — war is death and pain and misery. How can a promise be made that our young people, beautiful people my age, will not have died in vain? Any death for an unjust cause is a death in vain.

Christ taught his followers to love our neighbors as ourselves, and even to pray for our enemies. And as a popular bumper sticker says, “When Jesus said ‘Love your enemies,’ I think he meant ‘Don’t kill them.’” What does your faith tell you, Mr. Bush, about this? For God’s sake, how do you sleep at night?

If soldiers are lucky enough to survive the actual, fighting, how do you ignore them once they return? Where is the prompt, effective, federally supported medical care to patch them back up, to provide mental healthcare so that veterans might survive the emotional damage incurred from your war? There are more than a quarter million Vietnam War vets with stress disorders, and more than 200,000 Gulf War vets who suffer Gulf War syndrome. How many more soldiers will be added to these numbers? How is this “supporting the troops”? Where is the just and noble cause then?

Where are your tears, President Bush, for the people you, as “the decider,” have killed in Iraq and Afghanistan? Where are your tears for the Iraqi and Afghan survivors, the parents, siblings, cousins, and friends who grieve the loss of their loved ones and who must struggle daily to get even the basic necessities for life because of you? Where are your tears for the “enemy combatants” who have been tortured and humiliated, with your consent? Your brief words at a ceremony don’t ease the anguish felt by thousands of people around the world.

I propose a new kind of Veterans Day. What if we declared instead a moratorium on war? I can’t think of a better way to honor vets.



Study War No More
I’m going to lay down my sword and shield
Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside
Going to lay down my sword and shield
Down by the riverside
Ain’t going to study war no more

Ain’t going to study war no more
Ain’t going to study war no more
Ain’t going to study war no more
Ain’t going to study war no more
Ain’t going to study war no more
Ain’t going to study war no more

I’m going to put on my long white robe
Down by the riverside
Down by the riverside

Down by the riverside
I’m going to put on my long white robe
Down by the riverside
Ain’t going to study war no more
I’m going to talk with the Prince of Peace…