From our Spiritual Leader, Brent Uzzell
 

I was once asked why I don't participate in anti-war demonstrations. I said that I will never do that, but as soon as you have a pro-peace rally, I'll be there.

– Mother Teresa

This is not the monthly letter I thought I had planned to write and was actively researching and praying over. Perhaps I’ll publish that Epistle in next month’s newsletter.

 This is a letter born from the proliferation of “NO” signs around our beautiful little town and the storm of political emails from a friend that I dearly love but who often vexes my spirit and flexes my faith and prayer muscles.

Every day as I turn the corner off the loop to enter my neighborhood (and all the way down the street to my front door) I’m confronted with yard signs that say “NO”. I am noticing a plethora of political bumper stickers that read “NObama” and receiving emails that contain audio and video of McCain conspiracies and Palin gaffs and I just can’t get the quote from Mother Teresa out of my head.

OK, I feel some pulses quickening. Please keep reading – this is NOT a political letter. I really do not care what side of any issue anyone is on, promise to keep my own opinions completely confidential and political discourse of all variety out of worship services and our faith community. However, our consciousness as we approach these very public issues and the way that we think about them is, I believe, Spiritual fair game. In fact, I believe it vitally important to understanding and living our Unity principles.

I think Mother Teresa’s saying is so powerful because it reminds us that true co-creation is always about bringing into the present what is not yet formed. It is an act of birth not an act of restriction, diminution or degradation of what is. Co-creation is a powerful “YES” saying that “no” inhibits, retards and ultimately kills. As the political season heats up and our nation and our town debates it future, can we—as a faith community—remember what we are “FOR” and can we phrase our vision and our discourse in those terms? Can we hold the vision of Nacogdoches as a warm, friendly, beautiful town where all of our children are nurtured, loved and protected? Where laughter fills our streets and love our hearts? Can we keep our focus on visualizing everyone in Nacogdoches gainfully employed in work that enlivens the soul and co-creates a world that works – for everyone? Can we remember to respect the opinions of those that disagree with us and engage in meaningful, loving and peaceful dialogue so that we learn from each other? Can we seek to bring our commonalities to the foreground and allow our differences to fade, even as we discuss what the best communal course of action would be to build our dreams? In short, can we hold to the light of the “YES” and joyfully, peacefully and lovingly proclaim what we are “FOR”? What do we want to say a Holy “YES” to in our experience and for our community?

We can enter the silence and proclaim “YES” to all there is in Spirit in this moment and this place. That Nacogdoches glows with a Light that loves, nurtures and blesses all who reside and visit here. That the beauty of the hills and trees, the serenity of the cattle grazing and the grace of the deer are but a reflection of the beauty within us and a promise of the peace that “passeth all understanding”. A peace that resides in our hearts, minds and political discourse as we say “YES” to what we choose to co-create with God!

Here is Mother Teresa again:

• The fruit of silence is prayer, the fruit of prayer is faith, the fruit of faith is love, the fruit of love is service, the fruit of service is peace.

• I am not sure exactly what heaven will be like, but I do know that when we die and it comes time for God to judge us, He will not ask, "How many good things have you done in your life?," rather He will ask, "How much love did you put into what you did?
• I have found the paradox that if I love until it hurts, then there is no hurt, but only more love.
• If we have no peace, it is because we forget we belong to each other.
• If you judge people, you have no time to love them.
• There is more hunger for love and appreciation in this world than for bread.

Love is my decision; it’s up to me to give of my heart. Love is my decsion, no one else can tell me to start. And once I decide to change my mind God will show me how. Love is my decision, my decsion right here and now.

Love is my decision, its up to me to dance down the road. Love is my decision, no one else can lighten my load.– a song by Daniel Nahmod

 In Love, Light and Service

 Brent