On getting what we deserve

The results are in, the votes have been counted and besides this London bubble I live in, the picture is bleak for the reds. All the campaigning and fighting and debating has resulted in far too much blue for my liking. Needless to say I’m disappointed, gutted, so very sad that the labour policies that would have begun to lift and transform our communities will not be seen through. 

I have collected together a rather impressive collection of left leaning friends so my Facebook and twitter feeds are full of general sorrow..... and in their anger some voices cry out “this country has got what it deserves”. 

Has it though? Just because we voted for it doesn’t mean we deserve it. 

Our broken communities don’t deserve to be battered and bruised to the point that anything to get them out of Europe is better than the policies that will make steps to heal their wounds. 

Our politicians don’t deserve to live in fear of their lives simply for disagreeing  with someone else. They don’t deserve to have lies spread about them, their families torn to shreds and their every move misreported in the press. 

That boy didn’t deserve to have to lie on the hospital floor waiting for treatment whilst his story was manipulated and distorted to make a false political point. 

We don’t deserve to be manipulated by lies and fake news as it is shouted from the front pages of newspapers all owned by people whose interest is their own. 

We don't deserve to lose the NHS, to be reliant on foodbanks, to be stuck in temporary accommodation for years because of a lack of housing. We don't deserve under resourced schools and cuts in our emergency services. We don't deserve to see the rich get richer and the poor to get left behind...... 

We don’t deserve it. 

What we deserve is truth. What we deserve is compassion. What we deserve is honesty. What we deserve is restoration. 

Because even where we disagree, people matter. Their lives matter, their voice, their opinion, their frustration with how the world is matters...... and while the next few days for many (including me) will be about mourning and trying to make sense of the result, as we move on and live with the result we’ve got to be a hand in giving this country what it actually deserves. How we do that I don’t know, but I do know I will be working for it. 

Let's give this country what it deserves - listen to the voices that have been crying out beyond the dross in this election, walk in the way of love and compassion, be part of an army of restoration, seek out truth amongst the lies, be an us first not I first member of society  - because this country deserves all of this (not that). 

And today? Practice self care. Look out for one another. Seek out glimmers of hope and light, moments of laughter, moments of joy, because it is those things, when we hurt, that will keep us walking through. 

And pray - pray for the what next, pray for the future, pray for restoration, pray for more. 

“And now, God, do it again—

    bring rains to our drought-stricken lives

So those who planted their crops in despair

    will shout hurrahs at the harvest,

So those who went off with heavy hearts

    will come home laughing, with armloads of blessing”. Psalm 126:4-5

Build a Wall

"Build a wall," he said, "let's keep the problem out, let's make ourselves safe by barricading ourselves in...."

"Build a wall" he said, "build the foundations on fear; the other, the different they are not welcome here..."

"Build a wall," he said, "and trust in me, I'll stand up for you and fight with hatred and lies...."

"Build a wall, " he said, "then I'll make it great. Look at me... just look, aren't I great, yes I am...."

"Build a wall," he said, "keep the women in their place; get your own way, it's the same as my way, don't you see....."

"Build a wall," he said, "send that black man back home. He's a liar and a cheat. I'm RIGHT, look at me...."

"Build a wall," he said, "send that woman to jail. She's a liar and corrupt. I'm right, look at me...."

"Build a wall," he said, "and keep the guns, ready loaded. We'll be safe, don't you worry, look at me...."

"Build a wall," he said, "let's barricade ourselves in, I'm your saviour, I'll protect you, look at me, look at ME...."

"Build a wall," he said. 

So they did. 

Lord have mercy. 


Today we woke up to the news that Trump, who ran in one of the most divisive and, frankly, ridiculous presidential races in the US has been voted in as the next President. I'm gutted. I really am. I don't know what will unfold in the days to come, but Trump's record in his campaigning on how he spoke about 'the other' - Mexicans, Muslims, women.... and others has been awful. 

I'm not sure how to respond at the moment except to pray... for the future, for America and for the impact on the world. 

"God is our refuge and strength
a very present help in trouble.
Therefore we will not fear, though the earth should change,
though the mountains shake in the heart of the sea;
though its waters roar and foam
though the mountains tremble with its tumult.
There is a river whose streams make glad the city of God, 
the holy habitation of the Most High.
God is in the midst of the city; it shall not be moved;
God will help it when the morning dawns.
The nations are in uproar, the kingdoms totter;
he utters his voice, the earth melts.
The Lord of hosts is with us;
the God of Jacob is our refuge"    Psalm 46:1-7