The Ladybug

Category: Religion

  • Blessings During the Reign of Trump?

    The news today is scary.  Every day there is some new report of how President Trump is taking apart our country’s democracy.  I am afraid that everything I thought I knew for certain about America will soon change.  What is there to feel good about?  Prices and inflation are rising, not lowering.  Immigrants and people of color are in danger.  The LGBTQ+ community may lose the rights they fought so hard to gain.  The DOGE committee, fronted by Elon Musk, is systematically attacking government agencies, and being granted access to American’s most private information.  My status as a woman, alone, now puts me at risk for attacks from Trump.  The list of scary news goes on and on, and I can not cover all the topics in one paragraph.  However, suffice to say, that the reign of Trump is ushering in dark times for the USA. 

                So, what can I do to not feel overwhelmed and hopeless?!  I was praying on this subject, and what came to me were the simple words, “Stay in the present moment.”  There are blessings in my life that have not yet disappeared, and are worth celebrating.  I do not know how my life will be altered in the future by the new administration.  Therefore, it is more crucial than ever to be present and feel each blessing fully.  In honor of this philosophy, I have decided to write a Ladybug post today listing 10 blessings in my present life.  I will appreciate these blessings with every fiber of my being, for as long as they are mine to hold.  I suggest that if you are feeling equally hopeless at the state of our country, take out a paper and pen, and make your own list of blessings.  Celebrate the gifts God gives us, no matter how small.  Without further explanation, here are 10 Blessings that I cherish in my daily life:

    • My parents are alive and I can help them frequently.  This past summer, I moved closer to my parent’s home, and it is now a short drive to their house.  I can spend much more time with them, and offer any help they may need.  It is a huge blessing in my life to give back to my wonderful and amazing parents, who have always been there for me through thick and thin.  We have a relationship that I cherish.
      • My morning cup of coffee.  I love to wake up and go through the routine of making a pot of coffee.  The first bitter, hot sip is heaven!  Coffee is a luxury, and I enjoy every minute of drinking a good cup! 
      • Books!  I love to read.  I enjoy a wide variety of genres of books, and I always have 10 books that I am reading at the same time.  Everything from political non-fiction, to books on racism and women’s rights, to romances with handsome heroes, to fantasy novels that take me to other worlds, I love all books!  I especially enjoy reading banned books, and am currently reading The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood.  I learn something new with every book I read, and the books become a part of me.
      • Walks in nature.  I love to be in the woods, walking among the wise trees, and hearing the birds sing.  Somehow, everything that was wrong in my life feels right again.  Nature is incredibly healing.  Feeling fresh air on my face is exactly what I need to cure any stressful situation.  Thank you, God, for creating this beautiful planet, and giving me the ability to enjoy your fabulous works!
      • Sobriety.  This is a serious blessing.  I do not rely on any substances to escape reality and get high anymore.  No alcohol, no cigarettes, no pills.  I never tried marijuana, and I never will.  I cherish and carefully guard my sobriety, because it is the most important gift that I can give myself.  I want to experience reality, and cope with stress, in healthy and safe ways.  The ultimate clean living.  The best decision I have made.
      • Yummy and nourishing food.  I have enough food to eat, and I am blessed to enjoy many delicious and tasty meals.  I have never gone hungry.  This has not always seemed like a blessing to me, as I have struggled with Anorexia Nervosa my whole adult life.  However, I have healed enough from my eating disorder to realize that food security is indeed an amazing blessing, and a privilege of living in the developed world.  In addition, there is so much pleasure in a good meal!
      • Health.  My health is a constant struggle for me, both mentally and physically.  However, I have wonderful health insurance that has allowed me access to top doctors and healing medications.  I could be much worse off if I did not live in a state that offers great healthcare.  In addition, I have the gift of great insight into my mind and body, which allows me to make good decisions about my care.  I lead a high-quality life, and I am grateful.
      • School.  I attend Westfield State University online, and it is an honor to have education access.  Many women around the world, and in our country, are denied education.  Currently, I am working to complete my BA in Psychology.  The courses are not always easy, and at times I want to give up.  Then, I remind myself that school is an incredible blessing, and I persevere.  I will finish my degree, in the hopes for better opportunities going forward.
      • Church.  Having a church family is everything to me.  The support of fellow Christians is crucial in my spiritual journey.  I have been blessed to be quite active in the different churches I have attended.  Mission work is a passion of mine, and helping others with the company of my fellow church members is a wonderful experience.  Churches and organized religions are certainly not perfect, but the gift of sharing faith with other believers is something I will value for my whole life.
      • My apartment.  I am not homeless.  There are so many people in the USA, and all over the world, who do not have stable housing.  I have a warm, cozy, comfy, and safe place to call my own.  My apartment is my sanctuary.  It is where I recover from the roughness of the world, and rediscover my spark.  When life is overwhelming, I spend a few days hunkered down in my apartment, and I feel renewed.  My space is where I go to rest, so that I may do battle in the outside world again.  This is a true luxury, and I do not take it for granted.  My home is my restorative blessing.

        The list of my blessings could continue, and it could certainly be much longer.  However, I felt it was important to take a moment to look at the most basic and simple blessings that make my life wonderful.  The daily life I lead is truly one that I feel immense gratitude for, and I do not take one single blessing for granted.  I will live in the moment, and return to look at my list, every time I begin to doubt whether I can face our scary world.  God is Good.  His Love endures forever. 

        Be Blessed, G.

      1. Love Thy Neighbors: Immigrants

        I have a question to ask: Why must we all be white?  The core of white supremacy seems to me to be a belief that white people should dominate and control.  A belief that only people of European dissent with pale skin tones should be valued and respected.  I am certain that this belief is wrong.  There is a feeling in my core that white supremacy is evil and dangerous.  In addition, white supremacy in the USA is incredibly hypocritical.  Native Americans were the original founders of the country, and the Puritans from England were the immigrants.  So, why is it that white people in America have turned on immigrants?!  Is our collective memory so short-sited?  Have we all forgotten what we learned in history class in school?

                    The Trump administration which has taken over the country again has rolled out decisive action against immigrants, which I find sickening.  President Trump himself is a white supremacist.  He does not seem to be able to tolerate anyone different from himself.  The way that America is currently treating immigrants is a crime against humanity.  We are all beloved children of God.  We all matter and should be valued, regardless of our skin tone or ethnic background.  Separating families and tearing children away from their caregivers, simply because they are trying to find a better life on our soil, is inhumane.  We have a short memory, and seem to have forgotten all about the statue of liberty welcoming immigrants to our nation for decades past.  Why is there so much hate?

                    Immigrants in the USA also play an important role economically.  It is foolish to deport them.  Immigrants work long hours at jobs that white people hold up their noses at.  They pick watermelons in fields and work in factories.  They are tax paying contributors.  Besides the financial implications and work place roles that should be considered, immigrants also bring a richness to the diversity in our culture.  When I was in third grade, I learned about America being described as a melting pot.  The community was made stronger by having many different cultural traditions present.  Let us not forget the beauty of inclusion. 

                    The Bible also has many things to say about accepting our neighbors.  Since the conservative Republicans in Congress like to quote Leviticus for justifying their laws, I will quote Leviticus as well.  “When a foreigner resides among you in your land, do not mistreat them.  The foreigner residing among you must be treated as your native-born.  Love them as yourself, for you were foreigners in Egypt.  I am the Lord your God.”  Leviticus 19: 33-34.  The Lord is instructing His people as to how to care for foreigners, because they themselves had at one time suffered as outcasts in Egypt.  How quickly we forget.  This passage always reminds me that God’s law is one of acceptance and love. 

        But, why stop with the Biblical quotes there?  I would also like to include Jesus’ famous quote on loving our neighbors.  The story is from the Gospel of Matthew, when Jesus is asked which commandment is the most important.  Jesus replies, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment.  And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.”  Matthew 22: 37-40.  Clearly, the criminal treatment of immigrants is not an act of loving them as ourselves.  Separating families, and endangering children, and violently rounding up people, and destroying lives is not loving.  What would Jesus think of these actions, according to His instructions in the Bible?

                    America should be finding ways to streamline paths to legal immigration, and developing better avenues to welcome refugees into our countries.  We should not be building walls to keep anyone non-white and different out of our borders.  It is not only inhumane, as I stated earlier, but it goes against the Christian principles set out in the Bible.  White supremacy is inherently evil, and I am afraid of what it will ultimately lead to in this country.  I am determined to work to stop this spread of injustice.  Welcome the foreigner and love your neighbor, even if, and perhaps especially when, they are different from yourself.  Deporting honest immigrants and terrorizing refugees are terribly wrong actions, and they go against the history of our nation.  Take time today to consider your own principles in your heart, and decide which side of history you will be on.  I hope you choose love, compassion, justice, and inclusive action.

                                            In Resistance, G.

      2. For the Love of Money

        Reflections on God and Possessions

        My needs have always been met.  I have never known hunger or cold.  There has always been a roof over my head.  Considering the recent wildfires in California, I have been thinking about what happens when a human’s most basic needs are not met.  In America, we have a capitalist society, where every man and woman are for themselves in a rat race to the corporate top ladder.  Money and possessions are highly valued.  Americans are taught to crave a bigger house, a fancier car, and the latest smart phone technology.  The focus is not only on having enough to survive, but on one-upping your neighbor.  But, what does Jesus say we need?  He emphasizes spiritual wholeness, and a closeness with the earth and our creator.  Jesus, himself, was poor, and advised His followers to give up their possessions and follow Him.  Jesus says that we cannot love God and money (Luke 16:13 and Matthew 6:24).  So, after seeing the devastation in California over the last few days, I asked myself, what would I grieve the loss of most, my “things” or my memories?  I am ashamed to say that I might be tempted to grieve the loss of the stuff I had collected the most.

                    Time for a little self-reflection.  I grew up middle-class in the USA, and with all the privileges of being white.  It was not until I was an adult that I first experienced having little money.  I have lived on disability and food stamps for most of my adult life, and have had to watch every penny closely.  Running out of food at the end of the month has become a reality, as well as swallowing my pride and occasionally asking for extra help.  However, as I said, God is Good, and I have always somehow made ends meet.  It has not been an easy task.  The surprising fact is, that I would not have it any other way.  Being poor keeps me honest in a way that I have never experienced before.  My empathy and respect for others has grown and my own faith journey has been richer.  Joy has been palpable in the simple pleasures, such as a walk in the woods, or a warm cup of tea.  Community with others in church or through friendships sparks my passion more than being by myself in a fancy apartment would accomplish.  However, with all that said, I still feel myself vulnerable to the temptations to enjoy collecting, “stuff,” in my case mostly books and music.  I crave the latest Taylor Swift CD, even though I cannot afford it, and feel sorry for myself that the extra funds are not there. 

                    It is time for a reality check.  My complaints are the needs of a first-world spoiled American.  I want fancier clothes, I want newer CD’s, I want higher quality chocolate.  Hello, wake-up call, I have all I need and more!!!  My sweet apartment is full of lovely times spent with family and friends, and I am warm, safe, and fed.  There are many in the world, and presently in our own country, who cannot say the same.  It is time to dig into scripture and recall the words of Jesus, “you cannot love God and money.”  I have been given free-will, what do I choose to love today?  Do I love my Father God, or the phone app that I want?  God gives us the option; it is time to consider the answer.  We as Christians are called to serve those less fortunate, let us decide to act now and help our neighbors.  To whom much is given, much is required.  I have been given much. 

                    If you would like to help the California rescue efforts, World Central Kitchen is serving hot meals:

        World Central Kitchen