I don’t watch the news. Haven’t for a few years now. The media is just too hysteria-producing, crazy-making, irresponsible and false. And to this point, my avoidance of the news has served me well. I haven’t missed the anxiety perpetuated by the press and have easily gotten info on significant news events in plenty of time to act appropriately.

That said, I freaked out today. Just enough of the news had seeped into my consciousness to push my panic button. Swine flu. Unemployment. Wall Street. Infant vaccinations. Toxins. Cancer. War. Death.

I put away the magazine report about the shamefully high aluminum levels pharmaceutical companies knowingly pump into infants via vaccinations. I touched my belly and imagined Jude asleep, at peace, safe…for now. And then I listened to Over the Rhine’s song, “Changes Come:”

I wanna have our baby
Some days I think that maybe
This ol’ world’s too f***ed up for any firstborn son
There is all this untouched beauty
The light, the dark both running through me
Is there still redemption for anyone?

Angry and scared, I found myself at a crossroads. I had this huge opportunity to either let fear win, to listen to the “loser talk” that says to be very much afraid of government and Wall Street and war and pandemics and global warming and the irresponsible medical industry. Or to rise up, to hope, to bless, to love.

So I did the best I could right at that moment. I went to the local hardware store and bought all the peace lilies and reed palms they had. The smell of the dirt alone breathed life into me. Water dripped from the thick, green leaves and ran down my arms as I lifted plant after plant into my cart. Breezy, storm-coming-soon air brushed across my face.

And I knew as I waited in line: it’s all gonna be alright. And not in that cheesy denial Hallmarky sort of way. Not in the bumper sticker way either.

I knew because of what we celebrated a few weeks ago, what we celebrate today. There isn’t just an empty tomb. There’s a King, presently risen, sovereign, merciful, and very much aware of our current human condition. I inhaled the truth as I remembered that His perfect, abiding, infinite love drives out fear. Unwanted circumstances? We still have those. At least for now. But His love most definitely drives out fear.

When I got back from the hardware store, I tapped my favorite playlist, cranked it loud, and placed our new plants around the apartment – especially in Jude’s room. And as I did, Mary Gauthier sang out:

We hang in the balance
Dangle between hell and hallowed ground
And every single one of us could use some mercy now.

Mercy, I whispered as I set the last peace lily on the table next to Jude’s crib. And peace, I said, laughing at the spot on my belly where Jude was sticking his butt out. Then I blessed my son with words for him alone.

Mercy.
Peace.
Blessing.

It may be all we’ve got right now. But it comes from the death-destroying Source of Life. And it’s more than strong enough to hold us. If we’ll turn off the fear long enough to let it.

Tags: Mary Gauthier, media, news, Over the Rhine, peace lilies, swine flu, the press, unemployment, vaccinations, wall street  |  Posted under life stuff  |    No Comments