Pray for more love

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Latest Mandolin block completed last night.

I'm feeling a mixed bag today; it's Maundy Thursday, the day when Jesus celebrated The Last Supper with his disciples and also washed their feet. 

Colonel Nicole Malachowski's achievements as the first woman Thunderbirds pilot are being erased from official military websites. I wrote an email to family and friends denoting this, including the names and Washington D.C. phone numbers for Republican women senators. Here they are, if you're interested in letting them know your views. (All are currently on holiday until 28 April, but you can leave a message for each one.)

Marsha Blackburn        202-224-3344 Tennessee

Katie Boyd Britt             202-224-5744  Alabama

Shelley Moore Capito    202-224-6472   West Virginia

Susan Collins                202-224-2523  Maine

Joni Ernst                      202-224-3254   Iowa

Deb Fischer                   202-224-6551   Nebraska

Cindy Hyde-Smith          202-224-5054   Mississippi

Cynthia Lummis             202-224-3424   Wyoming

Ashley Moody                 202-224-3041   Florida

Lisa Murkowski              202-224-6665   Alaska
 
I'm at a loss for what to put on my Ukrainian flag for this Saturday's protest. I'd been thinking that since it will be Easter Saturday, LOVE THY NEIGHBOR was appropriate. Do I add: ESPECIALLY IF SHE'S A WOMAN. Or: WHAT HAPPENED TO WOMEN IN HISTORY? Or:.... I'm grateful it's only Thursday, Maundy Thursday. Much to contemplate.
 
A daily reading I incorporate recently admonished to pray for more love. I took that with all due gravity and generosity of spirit. Why the exclusion of Colonel Malachowski seems to have set me off, I'm not sure. Partly due to the SAVE Act, yes; that members of congress, women among them, want to make it harder for women and others to vote is INFURIATING! But then women plantation owners kept slaves during my nation's history, I guess some people simply live to wield power over others. That doesn't make them very LOVING, merely consumed with obtaining as much influence as possible.
 
Christ implored his disciples to NOT be like those in power. To act humbly, to turn the other cheek. To LOVE. In loving another, we set aside much of ourselves. In loving others, we choose their betterment over our own. In loving our neighbor, we seek to connect in a manner wholly concerned with goodness, kindness, compassion, peace. Jesus knew which disciple would betray him, yet he didn't condemn that man, but told him to do what he needed to do and do it with haste (John 13:27). After Judas left, Christ then said, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34)
 
In love, erasing people from history wouldn't happen. In love, sending people to El Salvadorian prisons wouldn't occur. In love, I wouldn't need to go to a protest in two days. Yet love feels very diluted in America. Love seems like a hazard or a line spouted by hypocrites. Simon Peter goes from asking Jesus to wash all of him to denying him THREE TIMES. How many times have I turned away when evil persists, how many times have I denied my Lord?
 
Do with this what you will. Just needed to get it off my chest and in a place less harmful, as well as easier to consider. None of us are perfect. Yet I will pray for more love.

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