Meet Them Where They Are
Every once in a while my Mom will leave me encouraging notes, or something she has read, or sometimes a comic strip. This week she left me a story from Guideposts. And the story was about an older man, who had made an impact on this family’s life, in many different ways. The adult children of the writer remembered that when they were little, “he always bent low.” What a legacy! The opportunity he saw in a child, to simply take the time to get on their level, which was probably increasingly difficult, but he saw this as something of great worth.
I also can say I have had those who “always bent low,” from parents to grandparents, to very special Sunday School teachers, and school teachers, doctors, nurses, friends and family.
I believe more than ever, at least in my lifetime, there are so many in need of someone to meet them where they are. What do I mean by this? I mean to sit down and listen. Learn from someone who can teach you something that is far beyond what you have experienced or could possibly experience in your “neck of the woods.” And let this spark in you a fire for more- more knowledge, more digging, more fight, more awareness.
This goes way beyond children! Although we must remember we were all children, and pieces of our childhood stick with us- no matter how much denying we do. Our history shaped our thoughts, beliefs, and who we are today, who we will be tomorrow.
In remembering these things above, today, as the snow accumulated outside my window, not the 6 inches they thought, but enough, I watched the senate hearing for the department of labor. And yes, I just had to take a deep breath. Honestly, she seems the most reasonable out of all so far. That’s as far as I will go in my opinion. But as I have reflected on all the past nominations/hearings and confirmations, I wonder how many of the people that will be directly affected by these positions have these nominees meet, or bent low with? How many stories have they seen up close and down to the detail? For example, she was asked today, a few times, if she thought $7.25 as minimum wage amounted to a livable income. I’ll give you a hint: she “couldn’t answer a hypothetical question.”
I feel like I need to state some facts about myself:
- I cannot affiliate myself with a political party, at this time, and don’t see this changing anytime soon. Period. I cannot place my hopes in man or woman) – and the truth is all sides of the spectrum have disappointed me in office and in general- especially this last political election.
- I love Jesus. His Word is absolutely true. God is all powerful. And in HIM is the final answer.
- My heart and soul are clinging to the hope that is to come, and trying to do my part as long as he has me here.
- I have my moments of trembling – but the work He has placed on my heart is this work right here. To give the facts and spread the truth and awareness.
- My goal is never to create more division than there already is. So please, if you are willing, join me in spreading the facts- bending low – even to the smallest among us. Read, investigate, explore.
I have shared that the crucial and critical work of the Department of Health and Human Services and all that falls under it, is pretty much the majority of what my life on this earth depends on. Yea, well, in the words of Hamilton, “If you see her crying downtown..” no need to have pity, but I’ll be crying because supposedly I am among the population that is apart of the possible new HHS efficiency cuts. More excruciating is that children are being affected and this does not help my blood pressure.
Enough about me though… How about some facts? Here are just some of the departments that have multiple layoffs, firings, etc:
- Department of Veterans Affairs
- Education Department
- Energy Department
- Department of Health and Human Services
- Department of Homeland Security
- IRS
- National Park Service
- Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
- Agriculture Department
- Federal Grants and Loans
- Foreign Aid Development
- Inspector Generals
- Department of Justice
- State Department
We don’t have to bend to low to know how we will be effected by at least one of these government departments. But there have been some brave people who have spoken up…
A Look at DOGE’s Firings and Layoffs so far: https://apnews.com/article/doge-firings-layoffs-federal-government-workers-musk-d33cdd7872d64d2bdd8fe70c28652654
Just these two stories bring me pause. Two people who were dedicated to their work, who I see as pretty essential, well… I’ll let you decide for yourself. Bend low and listen fully.
Life Book of the Week: The Camping Trip that Changed America: Roosevelt, Muir, and the National Parks, by Barb Rosenstock. Just some important history. 😉
