It Goes On and On and On

I want to begin by thanking those of you who read Friday’s post and responded with supportive words. Your kindness meant a lot to me. I also want to clarify that, although I may be losing my faith in organized religion, I’m not losing my faith, as precarious as it may be.

Today I want to share a list of local groups/initiatives/institutions that are continually nourishing my inclination to believe: in ideas beyond my personal sphere, in people I don’t even know, in actions I have not yet been brave enough to try.

I read once that a stumbling block or scandal in the Bible is a metaphor for a behaviour or attitude that leads another to sin or to destructive behaviour. These folks are for me the opposite of that. Is there a word for that? Perhaps this will help:

So let’s strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up. (Romans 14:19)

They make the road easier to navigate, the journey more joyful - - they encourage us to be our best selves.

In no particular order, I give you some of my reasons to keep on believing:

The Community Ecology Institute/Freetown Farm

Columbia Community Care

The Third

Inner Arbor Trust/Merriweather Park at Symphony Woods

The Howard County Library System

Howard County Lynching Truth & Reconciliation

The Women’s Giving Circle of Howard County

CARY - - Community Allies of Rainbow Youth

Yes, I am wrestling with my grief. I’m raging against institutions that ought to be trustworthy and have made a mockery of that trust. But I also see so many reasons to hang in there, to believe in shining a light instead of merely cursing the darkness.

How about you? What’s your list?

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