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Hoosier United Methodist News Archives
| Hoosier United Methodist News |
November 2001 |
My witness:
Love in the midst of breaking news
By Sandra Platt
One minute we are laughing and getting the kids ready for school. In the flash of a "breaking news report" . we are a country at the brink of war.
There is no visible sign of war in our little rural county. Here in Middle America the skies are blue, the trees on the hillside are just beginning to take on their golden glow.
But the war is not far from anyone's mind. Flags are liberally sprinkled in yards of the homes we pass going to town. K-Mart's run out of flags to sell. Photos and the latest news dominate TV and newspapers; there's talk of "ground zero" and teary stories of fear and of heroes. A weary eyed president exemplifies a steel spirit, and profound compassion.
There was a wedding today, a joyous occasion. But, two members of the wedding party are called to military duty and are absent from their family festivities. A bride and groom, a pastor, the congregation stops for a moment of silence and prayer. The bridal dress, bouquets and yellow candles seem incongruous with fear and mourning; yet today it seemed necessary, even urgent. The service was beautiful even more touching in light of possible war. Love, devotion and friendship are intangibles we cling even harder to in these hard days. Life is suddenly very precious.
Even as firefighters in New York are laid to rest, we linger and visit, throw birdseed and eat cake. Love still exists, dear friends are held tighter, birds sing and the sun shines. And we pray together. God in His love brings us together. And God will overcome! "For I am convinced that neither life, nor death, . nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God." Rom. 8:35-37
Sandra Platt is the wife of the Rev. Larry Platt, Lincoln Hills UMC, English, Ind.
Last updated on 01/14/2004