Prayer for June 28, 2021
I’ve been wondering about Canada Day. I think about how the country was founded and how normal it was considered in all of it. People come, take over, and make it their own. It was conquest. It’s our history. Often in history, though, we don’t see the other side. And I like learning all sides of the story. The reality is that when one side wins, another side loses. It’s what we’ve been raised to believe in. Someone must win. Someone must lose. It doesn’t matter what the consequence of losing is, as long as there’s a winner.
I get to talk to a lot of young folks. We talk about school and jobs and home life. The more they tell me their experiences of the workplace, it makes me think of conquest a bit too. We are surrounded by people who treat others horribly. We have managers that thrive on and are celebrated for their abusive management styles. They get things done. They make people act.
I remember one young person telling me how they cried when they got home from work because of how a manager treated them. The manager had been in the job for a long time and is seen as effective, but man… they treated people horribly… those who are trying their best and have some other personal struggles they are dealing with. There were times we talked the young person leaving the job as suicidal thoughts emerged and they lost their self-worth and confidence in a mere month of working there.
I encouraged this person to tell someone, and yet when then talked to other employees, they were told it’s not worth it. Nothing changes. No one listens. Just do your job and go home.
I think we are in a phase of awakening. The harms others have done over time, no matter how normal they were in that time and context, are being strongly heard. I think of it as we look at the scandals in Hollywood where potential stars were abused or misled in order to get ahead; for our Indigenous families who have been struggling to be heard all these years; for our employees who are being mistreated; and essentially – those with power and privilege and who have been abusing them, are being shone a light on.
So what can we do? When someone tells us something that is troubling, I believe we have an obligation to listen. Then we have an obligation to support. We could offer advice, but instead, I encourage us to ask the one sharing their story, what kind of support they would like. Advice is not always wanted and is not always helpful. It’s usually only so if it’s asked for. Often, advice is not asked for. It’s just freely given… and we forget that there’s much more to what is shared.
For me, as I continue to read stories and do more research on what I can do as a Canadian who aches with the Indigenous communities, I will be honouring them on Canada Day with a prayer of mourning. In some ways, I wish we could make Canada Day and a Day of Mourning on the same day. That way we recognize the good things Canada is, but also the harm our country has done in getting there.
I know there will be those who disagree with me and that’s okay. This is all still kind of fresh and raw for all of us. This is just where I am right now. I encourage us all to look at the harms that are normalized in our world and to start flipping those things upside down and shaking them up. Now is our time to shine for the good of all.
A prayer for today:
O Holy One, it’s only Monday morning and yet our hearts may be heavy. I ask you to continue to stir us and to encourage us for the purpose of good of all creation. We are in for a few really hot days, so keep us safe, O God. Help us to find relief from the heat in a safe way. I ask that you hold us all in your heart and loving arms as we navigate this crazy world we live in. Help us to heal and grow. Help us to learn and thrive. Help us to live into that which we are called to be. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
I’ve been wondering about Canada Day. I think about how the country was founded and how normal it was considered in all of it. People come, take over, and make it their own. It was conquest. It’s our history. Often in history, though, we don’t see the other side. And I like learning all sides of the story. The reality is that when one side wins, another side loses. It’s what we’ve been raised to believe in. Someone must win. Someone must lose. It doesn’t matter what the consequence of losing is, as long as there’s a winner.
I get to talk to a lot of young folks. We talk about school and jobs and home life. The more they tell me their experiences of the workplace, it makes me think of conquest a bit too. We are surrounded by people who treat others horribly. We have managers that thrive on and are celebrated for their abusive management styles. They get things done. They make people act.
I remember one young person telling me how they cried when they got home from work because of how a manager treated them. The manager had been in the job for a long time and is seen as effective, but man… they treated people horribly… those who are trying their best and have some other personal struggles they are dealing with. There were times we talked the young person leaving the job as suicidal thoughts emerged and they lost their self-worth and confidence in a mere month of working there.
I encouraged this person to tell someone, and yet when then talked to other employees, they were told it’s not worth it. Nothing changes. No one listens. Just do your job and go home.
I think we are in a phase of awakening. The harms others have done over time, no matter how normal they were in that time and context, are being strongly heard. I think of it as we look at the scandals in Hollywood where potential stars were abused or misled in order to get ahead; for our Indigenous families who have been struggling to be heard all these years; for our employees who are being mistreated; and essentially – those with power and privilege and who have been abusing them, are being shone a light on.
So what can we do? When someone tells us something that is troubling, I believe we have an obligation to listen. Then we have an obligation to support. We could offer advice, but instead, I encourage us to ask the one sharing their story, what kind of support they would like. Advice is not always wanted and is not always helpful. It’s usually only so if it’s asked for. Often, advice is not asked for. It’s just freely given… and we forget that there’s much more to what is shared.
For me, as I continue to read stories and do more research on what I can do as a Canadian who aches with the Indigenous communities, I will be honouring them on Canada Day with a prayer of mourning. In some ways, I wish we could make Canada Day and a Day of Mourning on the same day. That way we recognize the good things Canada is, but also the harm our country has done in getting there.
I know there will be those who disagree with me and that’s okay. This is all still kind of fresh and raw for all of us. This is just where I am right now. I encourage us all to look at the harms that are normalized in our world and to start flipping those things upside down and shaking them up. Now is our time to shine for the good of all.
A prayer for today:
O Holy One, it’s only Monday morning and yet our hearts may be heavy. I ask you to continue to stir us and to encourage us for the purpose of good of all creation. We are in for a few really hot days, so keep us safe, O God. Help us to find relief from the heat in a safe way. I ask that you hold us all in your heart and loving arms as we navigate this crazy world we live in. Help us to heal and grow. Help us to learn and thrive. Help us to live into that which we are called to be. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.