No Words

Stunned, Judy and I watched the news from our hotel room in Chicago as the story unfolded of the terrorist attacks in Paris on the heels of an attack in Beirut. It was the night before our flight home from the Midwest. We’d been on a lovely ten-day jaunt to visit friends and take in some of Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln sites. That evening, we watched  --  wordless, wide-eyed, and heart-sick.

I have no words to describe my disbelief of the terrorists' boldness. I have no words to convey the anger that welled up inside as I thought about their inhumanity. I wondered how these people could come to this place.  How could wreaking destruction on their fellow man be the thing that fills them up

.

But, The DayMaker is meant to uplift. So I have no more words about THEM.

These words are about US: Love and Hope. 

What we can do in our lives is spread love rather than hatred. Hold the individuals accountable for their actions, but extend love to the rest of the folks on our planet. That includes the “real” Muslims, the true believers, to all people of good will, and to those who seek peace and refuge.

We can spread hope. Teach and show our youth there is hope for them for a good life of their making. They don’t need to give over or place misguided trust in radical propagandists. Make sure they know they are valued and prepare them to offer their talents to the world in a positive way.

Kindness. Tolerance. Acceptance. Hope. Love. Peace. Words to incorporate in our vocabularies and in our hearts and our deeds.

~ xoA ~