Caution, Lessons Learned Ahead

We have an opportunity to learn a great lesson this week. A little over 5 years ago, planes flew into buildings and killed a massive amount of American men and women. It was said that this was done to show our weakness; the world (specifically Al-Qaeda) was fed up with our arrogance. Our response as a country was to wear American flag tee-shirts and wage a war on those who would dare show our vulnerability. We seemed to say, “Us vulnerable? We’ll show you vulnerable.”

So here we are engaged in the war five years later; raw. The anniversary was marked with still a great bit of sadness and the ongoing battle concerning the memorial is fraught with bureaucracy.

Last week a man who was said to be “angry at god” opened fire on group of children in an Amish community. It is said that the first child killed asked to be shot in order to let the others go free. She was 13 years old.

There were tears and solemn faces, but mostly there was a lot of talk of forgiveness. Hours after the milkman killed 5 of their children, the Amish were more concerned with the effects of anger than the passing of these young lives.

I think their faith must be strong enough that they feel the children are safe in heaven now. But we are still here, vulnerable on earth. Here, earth, is where anger and hatred lie. Not where those that have passed have gone—but here where those live.

The Amish community attended the funeral of the gunman, in a show of solidarity of their ability to forgive and to set his soul free.

I see the potential for great healing in this community. In five years time, they will not still be erecting a memorial. They will not be shaking at the sight of the murder weapon. Nor will they argue over where the memorial fund should go. They will be healed as best as they can be and will find their peace once again on earth.

Amish Friendship Bread

1 cup Amish Friendship Bread Starter
2/3 cup oil
3 eggs
2 cup flour
2 teaspoons baking powder
1/2 teaspoons baking soda
1/2 teaspoons salt
2 teaspoons vanilla
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1 cup sugar

Preheat oven to 350°F.
In mixing bowl,
combine all ingredients.

Grease and flour well 2
9″x5″ bread pans.
Bake for 40 to 45 minutes.

Variations: Add
1/2 cup of one or more
of the following - raisins, chopped apples, crushed
pineapple, candied fruit,
coconut, chopped dates, nuts or chocolate chips.
Add to batter just before
baking.

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