This night, on the eve of the election in the United States,
tensions are high. anxiety is higher
fear is higher.

Mail-in ballots are being readied to be counted.
People are making plans to get to the polls in the morning.
Foreign countries may have infiltrated the voting process.
Lawyers and judges are preparing to argue challenges against counting mail-in ballots
And,
as it all unfolds
I pray.
Many pray – many within the United States and many beyond.

As I was praying, I I noticed a shadow on my bedroom wall created by the little statue.
Words and a familiar melody echoed in my head and
I found myself praying … a song.

While the words are part of a Christian hymn
they can have meaning for non-Christians when adapted.
I hope they will.

Perhaps you will join me in singing/humming (if you know the melody)
and if not, join me in saying/thinking these words (original words in paratheses)
because …
“We are pilgrims on a journey;
We are family on the road;
We are here to help each other
Walk the miles and bear the load.

I will hold the night-light (Christ-light) for you
In the nighttime of your fear;
I will hold my hand out to you,
Speak the peace you long to hear.

I will weep when you are weeping;
When you laugh I’ll laugh with you;
I will share your joys and sorrows
Till we’ve seen this journey through.

When we sing to Nature’s glory (to God in Heaven)
We shall find such harmony,
Born of all we’ve known together
Of the world’s (Christ’s) love and agony.

Neighbour, family (brother, sister) let me serve you;
Let me be a friend (as Christ) to you;
Pray that I might have the grace to
Let you be my servant, too.
<Richard Gillard, adapted by June Maffin>

This night
may we hold the night-light for all in the United States
and for ourselves
because whether we acknowledge it or not,
what happens in this election will affect the rest of the world.

And if necessary, as the votes are counted
and the anticipated legal process unravels in the coming nights
may we continue to pray – to sing – to remind ourselves that
regardless of the outcome of the election
we are all going to have to live together on this Planet Earth>

We all want to have the answer to the question “What is going to happen?”
But perhaps the question is not “What”
but “How.”
And the answer to that must be
“Together.”

Whatever happens,
we must get through it together,
because
“We are pilgrims on a journey;
We are family on the road;
We are here to help each other
Walk the miles and bear the load.

This night,
let us hold the night-light for one another.

*********************

© June Maffin
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