December is a time to believe

Yesterday I had an opportunity to hear Bishop Mariann Budde at the Westminster Town Forum.  Some readers may be familiar with her sermon requesting mercy during a prayer service in January with newly elected officials and the response that followed.  Her talk yesterday was on how "Courage is Contagious."  It was an uplifting talk to a full-house with an overflow crowd in an adjoining room.  December is a time to believe that as the card says, "So much is possible.  So much goodness is within reach."  And Bishop Budde mentioned it starts with respecting the dignity of every person, but it also involves working for the common good.  It is often hard to believe in the goodness of others, especially right now when there is so much going on that seems to point in the opposite direction. However, if you believe, whether it is spiritual or secular, in the innate goodness of people, there is much of that goodness around us.  No, it doesn't get reported in the news, but I bet you can think of at least one time in the past week when you were on the receiving end of a small act of kindness.  At this time of year, opening our hearts to others and seeing what is possible, is a beginning.  Depending on your news source, whether you see a glass as half empty or half full, or what your worldview is right now, we have the opportunity to turn the tide.  There is no question that many people are seeing the dark side winning, yet December is a month of possibilities and each act of small kindness is a gift to someone and a means of lifting someone else up.  It takes courage, but as Bishop Budde stated, "courage is contagious."  As Martin Luther King, Jr. stated, "Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that."  Right now, you just have to believe that anything is possible and love will win.  Bishop Budde reminded us that it isn't easy, but being intentional and with practice we can turn the tide.  You can choose to believe and believe in the power of love to win and with that belief, you can help change the course and right the ship.  "So much is possible."  Believe and have courage to act on that belief.