My sense was that she had voted for the other candidate. All I knew for sure, was that I listened to my mentor choke back her tears, as she prayed for a man and his family in pain. Yielding to Love, she humbled herself and prayed.
Our then, President of the United States was facing a self-imposed scandal, the kind of embarrassment that sends media into a frenzy and offers sky rocketing material to comedians. The kind that invites participants into a deeper faith and tempts with life-ending alternatives.
True to her midwestern roots, my mentor was measured in her emotions; however, as she held our president in prayer, tears welled up in her eyes. Her sorrow was obviously born out of much prayer for our country and for him.
My mentor’s demeanor that day stayed with me, more than any lesson she purposely taught. She had sure opinions and did not shy away from speaking her mind. She impressed me as one who would claim debate and bantering, healthy practices in politics. Above both though, she knew what it meant to humble herself and pray, for our country and our world.
Today, as I listen to enemy language and hear hate-filled ridicule, I think back when a woman set her self-interest aside and prayed for a man whose shame had been put on public display. I knew that my mentor’s transformation had not come easily.
For me to follow her lead would mean welcoming humility, being the change, as Gandhi had instructed. How would I know when to stand up and hold my ground, when to persevere, letting circumstances mold me and when to walk away?
Allowing transformation would mean following the authentic life of Jesus, rather than using His name to promote my agenda, political or otherwise. It would mean trusting the flow of His Spirit and yielding to Love.