01.26.2028 | Ordinary Monday

​Love, still
 
The snow fell in waves this weekend, blanketing the City in a shroud of white. The silence of that quiet quilt was a welcome mercy, a brief break from the relentless noisiness of the news. It feels less like we are being informed these days and more like we are being buried, just as surely as the deep drifts piling against the fenceline.
 
My heart feels broken right now. My soul is heavy and hurting. And yet, I hope that this ache means I have not lost my ability to care. Through the pain, we must continue to care. Continue to love, because love is in such short supply. I cannot allow cynicism, cruelty, anger, or frustration to take that away from me.
 
Our hearts are so heavy. There are moments when we simply have to lay some of the burdens down. Now is the time to do the small things we can. I cannot fix everything, but I can make a bit of soup and share it. I can offer help to my neighbors as they have helped me. I can notice the bright cardinal at the feeder and feel a flicker of joy. I can love more fiercely. I can hold on to hope. I can find a bit of faith to carry on. I can love.
 
“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”
Psalm 34:18
 
Fred Rogers, the gentle Mr. Rogers, once said, “We live in a world in which we need to share responsibility. It is easy to say, ‘It is not my child, not my community, not my world, not my problem.’ Then there are those who see the need and respond. I consider those people my heroes.”
 
We still have heroes among us. We cannot let the martyrs die in vain. We must keep holding on to hope. We must keep loving each other through the pain.
 
Love more fiercely.
Hold on to hope.
Find a bit of faith and carry on.
 
We can love.