Making Headlines or Making a Difference?

Have you heard? And my ears perk up. Part of me is curious. But part of me is cautious. Gossip spins webs. Interestingly, today's New York Times carried a piece by Michal Leibowitz about folks choosing to give up gossip.

Well, maybe you're thinking, I don't gossip, so why read your longer-than-usual blog? Perhaps, you're right. But, I think a lot of the talk concerning politics and religion falls into the category of gossip. And It keeps us divided and wounded through naming, shaming and blaming. But we can do better. Like my Mama used to tell me, "You can do better. Now, go practice."

This came to mind when I watched Maggie perform in Mean Girls last Friday. An anxious teen tries to level the playing field by denigrating the competition. They recruit others to spread lies and half truths. And tribes form and words wound. Sound familiar? But, at least in the musical, it flips. And courageous words and actions bring healing, in the end

So I'm trying to keep this in mind between now and November 5th when we vote. But, even more after the voting is tallied, results posted. And to remember that what happens in the USA happens to the world. Nothing is ever just about US. So I ask myself, at what cost do I win or lose? And who or what, am I willing to tear down in order to move up?

Last Saturday, I took my grandson Luke and two of his friends, Tucker and Finn, to Mom's Kitchen in Gloucester for breakfast. Elsa, the mom in the kitchen, makes GIANT cinnamon rolls. All three of these young men are over six feet tall. And they can eat. So giant food's welcomed.

Just across the room, I noticed a woman in navy blue scrubs. Her outfit told me she worked in the medical field. She also looked like she'd just gotten off a shift. Tired. Other than that I ignored her and focused on Luke and his friends.

Between bites, we talked about politics and religion. Unlike me, kids don't read newspapers or listen to PBS. But we talked, ate, listened and learned from each other. They, like many young people, care deeply about the Palestinians. I concur with them on many issues. And I happily shared that there are Christians who find greater affinity with most of the Democratic focus, than with the Republican platform. But they, like many of us, have friends and family on both sides. So we talked about how to disagree with civility and humility.

Both are possible.

Then, Luke, Tucker and Finn left to go fishing. I stayed to pay the bill. That's what grandparents do. Soon Amy, our waitress, came by and asked, "Did you notice the woman sitting over at the other table when you came in?" I said, "Yes." Then Amy added "Well, she paid your bill." What? I've heard of strangers doing that but have never been the recipient.

Turns out she's a visiting nurse. And according to waitresses, Amy and Giesla, "She's a saint!" Well, I'm not going to argue. Those guys can eat! And we had ordered some additional cinnamon rolls to take home to enjoy tomorrow. She covered it all.

Well, I kept shaking my head and wiping my eyes, while Giesla refilled my coffee and patted my back. I thought about my Mama, a nurse for more than fifty years. Nurses care. I experienced it in hospitals, and in my home. And I watched nurses tend Jud with compassion, like angels in scrubs.

And, you know what, this nurse, apparently, didn't base her generosity on how I vote, who I love or hate, and how, or if, I pray. She just saw an old woman with three college boys, talking and enjoying breakfast together. And, apparently, decided to treat us, for no earthly reason. And four strangers became blessed beneficiaries.

Well, I could hardly wait to tell the boys how God showed up at breakfast through a nurse. Well, I hope she is a Christian. But, I'm grateful, either way. For sure, when I told them, the boys were stunned by our breakfast benefactor.

So, I'm wondering, how to keep joy, hope and kindness spreading like a healthy virus? Listen more, and talk less? Look for ways to be generous to strangers? Give someone the benefit of the doubt? Imagine if we start catching people doing or saying something good, instead of pointing out what's wrong?

The Bible challenges us to overcome evil with good. Not to overcome evil with more evil. But more goodness. So, lets get creative. Goodness is God made visible. And while quiet acts of kindness don't usually make headlines, they make a difference. To others and in us.

So, while headlines grab our attention, kind acts grab hold of our hearts and nudge us to do better.

Because we can.

And must.

For Christ's sake.

And for the sake of others.

And ours.