Dinah Washington sang a song titled, “What a Difference a Day Makes.” Last Tuesday was a perfect example of that.
It is not always the case, but last week I had a chance to get to work early on a reflection for our church’s Social Justice Committee meeting which would take place the next day. I saw the lines of women lining up to place their “I Voted” stickers on the grave of Susan B. Anthony. It prompted thoughts of how far we have come. In my lifetime I saw the first African-American president, the Cubs win the World Series, and now the election of the first woman president. The theme began to take shape of perseverance. Our committee has come very far since its inception. The journey has been a rocky one – some setbacks along the way, but with the help of our “fearless facilitator” we have accomplished many of our goals. So, with all that was going on that day I decided to build upon that theme.
Election watching would have to wait until after choir rehearsal that night. Actually, my plan was to not listen to any coverage with the idea of waking up to the announcement of Hillary Clinton being elected president. One of my fellow sopranos did not have the same idea. She was receiving “tweets” from her brother about the election. Her reactions told the story. Still I was hoping that all would be well. I returned home at 10:30 that night and turned on my computer. Although I tried to avoid it, my eye caught a headline, “too close to call.” Did that refer to a state or the election? I couldn’t sleep. Then I saw it. He won.
Unbelievable! There was this feeling in the pit of my stomach that was a combination of shock and intense fear. I thought about the reflection and could not think of a song – I usually include at least one – and I COULD NOT THINK OF ONE! There was nothing in my heart that spoke to what I felt. It took awhile – I was up late, but here is an excerpt from my reflection:
I have no words. Last night my plan was to go to bed after choir but one of my soprano mates was getting updates from her brother. I came home and saw that it was close then that he had won. I was up until two, couldn’t sleep. For a while I had no song – NO SONG in my heart. I am doing the reflection at the LOC meeting tonight and I thought I would be talking about a different election outcome. Gradually, I started thinking about it and the song popularized by James Cleveland, “I Don’t Feel No Ways Tired” except that I did feel tired – as if there are always battles. But the rest of the chorus says, I’ve come too far from where I started from/Nobody told me the road would be easy/I can’t believe you brought me this far to leave me. Then I realized I could not hang up my sun hat, put away my walking shoes and rest in my easy chair. Then I remembered “Ella’s Song” – We who believe in freedom cannot rest/We who believe in freedom cannot rest until it comes.
I know I need to pray and get clarity. I know we need to heal. But I am on the road to hopeful because the songs have returned to my heart and I know that we must “keep our eyes on the prize” and “hold on.”
But let me echo the verse that Hillary quoted in her speech – a speech that finally allowed the tears to flow – “And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” (Galatians 6:9)
And we sang those songs at the meeting on Wednesday night.
Thought Word Deed 