Tag: inspiration (Page 2 of 2)

Labor Day is this weekend. For centuries laborers have faced oppression and struggled— poor pay, desperate working conditions, workplace abuse, slavery; (think Moses delivering the Children of Israel) Celebration of Labor Day was a long time coming; it became a federal holiday when President Grover Cleveland signed it into law, June 28, 1894 The labor movement began to open doors long before then. There were fears that pausing for a whole day to celebrate would weaken the nation.

It was largely Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. who helped calm fears that a day of celebration for Labor would weaken the nation. He said, “The labor movement did not diminish the strength of the nation but enlarged it. By raising the living standards of millions, labor miraculously created a market for industry and lifted the whole nation to undreamed of levels of production. Those who today attack labor forget these simple truths, but history remembers them.” 

The History Channel speaks of the horrors laborers faced centuries ago: In the late 1800s, at the height of the Industrial Revolution in the United States, the average American worked 12-hour days and seven-day weeks in order to eke out a basic living. Despite restrictions in some states, children as young as 5 or 6 toiled (emphasis mine) in mills, factories, and mines across the country.

In 1989, founder of Points Of Light, President George H.W. Bush, accompanied by Mrs. Coretta Scott King, signed the Martin Luther King Jr. Federal Holiday Commission Extension Act, . honoring Dr. King’s legacy each year on MLK Day. Points Of Light has the unique opportunity to reflect on the gains made. (Adapted from Points of light )

A reinforcement to the value of labor emerged as “MLK JR. DAY OF SERVICE a day on, not a day off.” Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. believed in BUILDING THE BELOVED COMMUNITY . He gave his life serving others. He was in Memphis Tennessee, to march with their garbage workers against horrible working conditions, when he was assassinated. Now on Labor Day, following his example, millions of Americans serve on MLK JR. Day of Service. It has become “A DAY OF SERVICE—a day on, not a day off.” At our children’s schools, at a local shelter, or lending a hand to help our neighbors – we bring to life his vision of neighbors working together to build a better future.

The need to treat laborers fairly and appropriately, has deep biblical roots. Children of Israel were commanded to be fair to laborers. Another glimpse of laborers is in a graphic, cherished, story of a landowner’s care for widows and other poor neighbors. The practice was, at harvest time, gleanings were to be left for the poor, widodws, and the needy to follow in harvest fields and glean leftover or missed grain. Although the story has a far richer meaning, it is a glimpse of workers in that day.

The Apostle Paul, writing to the church at Corinth, after encouraging support of the work of Timothy, urged recognition for household of Stephanas; giving wide acknowledgement to their labors. Paul also spoke out, saying there is glory and honour and peace for every worker on the side of good. He went on to advocate against discrimination. This weekend we celebrate not only the value of work, but also that of all workers!

Bill Withers sang…”we all need somebody to lean on…” —which on its face goes counter to American individualism. The old “Can Do” mentality seems to be fed to us with our baby food. But why this dichotomy? Merriam-Webster defines “lean”; to rely for support or inspiration. America’s addiction to sports reveals a conundrum—the can-do spirit woven incongruously into sharing (teamwork). The reality is that we do not live in isolation.

Withers’ opening words:  Sometimes in our lives we all have pain. We all have sorrow. But if we are wise we know that there’s always tomorrow. Lean on me when you’re not strong. And I’ll be your friend I’ll help you carry on…For it won’t be long till I’m gonna need somebody to lean on. I have an idea that at least part of our social malaise stems from a mortal vanity.

 Over the past year and a half students and general citizenry discovered isolation horrifying if not harmful. We humans are social beings. I think our COVID-19 advice was misdirected; maybe it should not be social distancing, but physical distancing. There is a difference; physical distancing simply keeps one a safe distance from the spread of the virus. Social distance puts a barrier between our spirits. OK. So, maybe I’m splitting hairs; I don’t think so. Subtle nuances in our language can cause something of a fracture in our human interactions. I prefer a nuance that leans toward a more positive posture.

As I was writing this, a friend pointed out that in the outset of COVID-19 most everyone was saying, “We’re all in this together!” then he asked, “What happened to that spirit?” Part of the decline of that spirit, In My Humble Opinion, has to do with the growing corrosive infection of a malignant variant— “Me First.” Some independence is good; even healthy. But at the expense of community, it becomes morally bankrupt. One illustration of this idea gone wrong is this; if we are at sea in the same boat with others, you do not have the moral right to bore a hole in the bottom of the boat to suit yourself.

The Children of Israel felt the Gibeonites were a threat to their community; They were terrified! Their immediate response was to “circle the wagons” and care only for themselves. However Joshua listened; He heard the Gibeonites referring to what Jesus would later teach; Love conquers all. So Joshua cooled the controversy by giving the Gibeonites a place of service in the community. Threat negated!

As COVID-19 rages on, here is one of the most heartfelt, if not graphic indications that “we all need somebody to lean on,” –“I need a Hug!” It has become an often-heard plea. It is a visceral account of how much we all need each other—to lean on. Yes. We are all in this boat together —the boat of community life.  Yes! We all need somebody to lean on! 

John Donne said it clearly, No man is an island entire of itself; …, a part of any man’s death diminishes me, because I am involved in mankind. Does it seem odd to you also that we human beings can’t seem to get the hang of Donne’s simple but clear declaration? The good news is that sometimes we get it—especially in a crisis, as in the aftermath of a tornado or hurricane. We should learn from these.

Songwriters Jimmy Robbins, Maddie Marlow, and Taylor Dye got it right in their lyrics, People Need People

People need people when the highs get low
The world’s a bit too heavy for one shoulder to hold
The strongest souls still wear out, and the hardest hearts still break
Sometimes you ain’t alright and sometimes that’s okay…

Somebody to call when you’re too close to the edge
Somebody to catch you when you’re dancing on a ledge
Somebody to pray for you, someone that you can pray for
To need and be needed, oh, I believe it’s what we were made for…

So if you’re asking me
It’s what else this world can be
People need people.

I think the words are what Jesus meant when he called on his followers to put on my yoke when (we)  are weary and over-burdened… A yoke by definition is “a wooden bar or frame by which two draft animals (such as oxen) are joined at the heads or necks for working together. The operative word is together.

The only “Western” I was allowed as a little kid was “The Lone Ranger.” I sent in three Meritta bread wrappers and received a membership card, code ring, and a “Silver Bullet” (the only kind he ever used—and came from his secret silver mine) it was a pencil sharpener. Unfortunately, I don’t still have that “silver bullet.” Although my mother didn’t object to The Lone Ranger, she apparently cleared it out with my other “clutter” when I left for college.

Every episode of The Lone Ranger ended in victory; he rode off on his white horse, shouting “Hi Yo Silver! Away!!” and someone in the crowd asking, “Who was that masked man?” His first appearance was in a radio show on WXYZ (Detroit), way before I was born, but became an enduring icon of American culture.

Some time ago I found a DVD with several episodes on it. (No one will watch them with me–because they are “tooooo boring.”) But I get a kick out of those old episodes; by modern media standards they are absurd. I admit there is a bit of nostalgia in watching an episode, but seeing a lead man doing the right thing never gets old—for me, as well as for most people. I am convinced that most people want to be good honest people.

Of course! There is a lot of evil in the world. Just watch or read any news these days; try to find “good news”— there may be a tiny afterthought at the end of a very long bad-news program. The news caters to bad news. The trite phrase “If it bleeds it leads“, is sometimes attributed to Adolph Simon Ochs, once publisher of the New York Times. While he did cut a significant swath in journalism, —I cannot verify that attribution. But it does not take Arthur Conan Doyle to figure out it stands as the Holy Grail of modern news media.

Charles Wesley, the less-famous brother of John Wesley, in his hymn, “Love Divine,” pleaded, “…take away our bent to sinning…” it recognizes we are flawed human beings. (isn’t that why we have cash registers, keys, and contracts?) I guess I simply liked the “good” in the Lone Ranger. I also liked his real name, Clayton Moore.

The Lone Ranger was never depicted smoking, drinking, cussing, or using poor grammar. Saloon scenes were in cafes. He wore a gun, but never shot anyone. Although Tonto, his sidekick, was a Native American, The Lone Ranger never debased Tonto and no scenes ever disparaged people who are “different.” The Lone Ranger was a Methodist Sunday School teacher. (NOT. I’m just kidding about the Sunday School—kinda got ya going though, didn’t it! 😉 ?)

For me it is refreshing to hear good news; good news about good relationships. I think of the Apostle Paul’s relationship with Philemon. They treated each other with great warmth, respect, and trust. I also relish the deep relationship Jesus had with Lazarus. Their relationship was palpable. As profound as Jesus’ miracles were, it is significant that the glimpse of Jesus at Lazarus’ grave, his humanness stands out–-it is a verse of its own and captures the humanness of Jesus.

Except for a few strange movie genres, notice how important it is that “good” triumphs over “bad” — “the good guys win!” Yes, I know. The Lone Ranger is antiquated. Just let me marinate in his memory. Let us not reject the tenet that “Good” will triumph over “Evil.” We will hold that spirit, waking up each morning in the spirit of “This is the day the Lord has made. I will rejoice and be glad in it!”

Hi Yo Silver! Away!!