Notes from Jan

Come for Leftovers.

November 9, 2016

Come.

Come back to the table.

Lets talk.

Leftover hopes.

Leftover people.

There’s much left to be talked through, wept over, listened to, cared about.

Not false starts at communication through social media or anonymous letters.

Face to face, looking into the eyes of ones we say we despise, fear or distrust; then, speaking words, listening and taking responsibility.

There’s a lot of anger, fear and distrust in our country, our workplaces, our homes.

This is our chance to do better.

To learn.

We’ve been the envy of much of the world with our peaceful transfer of power from one president to another.

But what about the transfer of anger, fear and distrust that’ve fed this election process on both sides? Where will it go?

How to heal the divide, to cooperate, make changes for the common good?

How to reach in peace and work respectfully with other countries, with people who are different?

In the months before Jud died, our family and friends, by his example, held reality and hope in tension.

Jud’s life and words funneled down to its essence, “Follow Jesus.”

Jesus.

Never the kind of King folks wanted as their Messiah.

Humble.

Not born with a silver spoon in his mouth, but manger straw.

Hung out with sinners.

Stood for leftover people.

Walked or rode a donkey.

Life, never about Him but Life came and continues to come through Him.

Real Life.

So, what would Jesus do, besides never wear a bracelet with WWJD on it?

Stay at the table.

Add more leaves and chairs.

Forgive.

Show mercy.

Listen.

Heal.

Feed.

Touch the leper hiding within.

Call us by name, not names.

Love, anyway.

Then imbue us with His Love so potent, as to change the world.

Love can.

Where to start?

Follow Jesus.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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7 Comments

  • Reply susan November 9, 2016 at 10:57 pm

    Yes, stay at the table even if you have heartburn and have to pop 2 Pepsids.. sigh, sigh and breathe.

  • Reply Mary T. Wilkinson November 9, 2016 at 11:09 pm

    Thank you, Jan, for your heartfelt and well thought out words; especially coming on this day after our National Elections. “Follow Jesus” should be the GPS for all of our lives if we call Him our Lord.
    A sister in Christ,
    Mary

  • Reply Becky Manseau Barnett November 10, 2016 at 1:42 am

    Thank you, Jan, for these seasoned words of hope and challenge today. Xox

  • Reply Nicholas Lester November 10, 2016 at 3:22 am

    That was exquisite. Beautiful and inspiring.
    I have felt shattered by the election… broken.
    Not because of who was not nominated, but who was. All of the things I do not stand for.
    That said, maybe this needed to happen to foster MORE Love…More Compassion… MORE willingness to listen to the other viewpoint from the other. Now I am ready, beginning again and again each day seeing the good in the world. Thank You for your words. You have given me back my hope… sincerely

  • Reply Niffy November 10, 2016 at 10:56 am

    Wonderful words! So very appropriate for what I was feeling yesterday.

  • Reply Linda Coonrod November 10, 2016 at 3:35 pm

    Jan, Thank you for your gentle words… always trust you to help bring perspective. Yes, we’ll follow Jesus ….

  • Reply wendy lane November 11, 2016 at 3:15 pm

    So well said.

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