Missing Vertebrae

Could you hear my heart pounding yesterday? I had to step up to the plate and confront someone who wasn’t doing the right thing. It took me seven hours, or maybe seven months to reach the point where I grew a vertebrae and stood up for a minute. Only 32 more vertebrae to go before I can stand up for the right thing without seven months of labor and seven hours to fuel courage! I know part of the lengthy delay was my dread of confrontation, but I also couldn’t help believing that the situation would correct itself, just by the very basis of the obvious wrong behavior. I know I’m fortunate (or naïve), but I’m used to being around people who do the right thing. This is a good person, but the situation was wrong and it became unbearable that I had the knowledge and the ability to correct it. I slept last night as if I had run a marathon, my body and mind exhausted from the abnormal exertion. Today I woke up wanting answers: Did this go on because no one said stop? Did this go on because my silence fueled disrespect? Did this go on because my powerless inaction gave the power to be taken advantage? Did this go on because not enough expectations were communicated? Did this go on because the supervision wasn’t thorough? I wanted answers - but then the phone rang, an e-mail needed attention, appointments lined up and before I knew it I had lost the mental ground I had staked the day before. Got milk? I think my back bones need the calcium.

My prayer for the congregation?

Dear God, How do you weigh your power with such sound judiciousness? How do you encourage your people to live in righteousness and follow your commandments? Let us be a people of strong stature, standing up for those whose voices have been silenced or to correct a situation that is injurious. Let us communicate our expectations that all people are due respect and kindness; that small injustices unfettered grow into larger transgressions; and that silence can equal permission. Let us see with clear eyes the situation before us. Do not let our own weaknesses cloud the opportunity to make a clear and concise projection of your justice and righteousness. Let us be supported by your obvious power and judgment. Amen.