To Love Our Neighbor

I don’t struggle with my faith
or what I believe about God
because He and I are as solid as the fact that
He never changes
And His love never leaves
But while I live in this earth
this body I live in is subject
to laws and expectations
set by human hands
Not the ones that carry me
I love the trees and tall grasses
The sound of the water all around
He made those for me

As people label the Triune or Trinity
Yahweh or Elohim
Allah, Brahma, Zeus or
The Great Spirit
I don’t care if you don’t believe
in a Creator or Supreme Being
I know what I know
and I don’t have energy
or I won’t give energy
to sell you mine
Because a God that created this magnificent earth
can advertise
and close the deal on a relationship with you

I am not brittle
though I have been broken
I am not afraid of you
because my left leg weighs
more than most of you
If you attack me
I will just sit on you
until the authorities arrive
I enjoy the silence because
I enjoy surrender
I don’t trust people
but I do love you
Let’s dance on this earth together

Faith is strength
when seated in the correct plan
because it isn’t found in control
or people, time, money
or what humans understand
and efficiency that leaves no room for release
Because fear is a tool and currency
when we go to the author of our faith
and let Them carry us when
we must let Their faith be enough
because ours is not
When our tears are many
we can trade them for love

Because love is what we are here for folks
I saw it yesterday in a parking lot
When 5000 or so gathered
to feed our family
When people from Kelso-Longview
and Kalama and Castle Rock
and Woodland came
to hold up our brothers
Even though we aren’t perfect
and we mount coffins in the wrong spot
We still are Cowlitz County
And our Maker is holding space for us
And we are holding up each other

So don’t worry if you’re broken
If you can’t walk without help
If you can’t quote scripture
If you can only smile
Because we are here to love our neighbor
If we did it wrong yesterday
Do it right today
Perfect is not found here
just give us the best you got

Donate to Nippon Families

Now you can Venmo your donation to the families affected by the Nippon tragedy. Use this QR code to transfer to the fund established by Cowlitz Wahkiakum Labor Council and the Longview/Kelso Building Trades Council held at Longshoremen’s FCU. You can also donate at ANY Cowlitz County credit union. Or, donate through our Online Banking by transferring to 788370-02-Community.

Red Canoe Credit Union | Lower Columbia Longshoremen’s Federal Credit Union | Mint Valley Federal Credit Union | PUD Federal Credit Union | #LongviewStrong