Light in Times of Crisis

Today is Halloween Day, a time of celebration in Canada and North America. A time of scary costumes, running from door to door to collect lots of candy, classroom parties, pumpkin carving competitions, staying out late, and feasting on candy. Such a lovely tradition!

Today, however, I am struggling with the heaviness of war, with the statistic that 3400 Palestinian children have been killed, 420 per day.

I am struggling with the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza, the lack of food, water, safe shelter, fuel, and the unwillingness of Israel to recognize the need for aid for these people.

I am struggling with world leaders who are unwilling to see past their political agendas, choosing to save face and see only themselves. 

Unable to see into the eyes of desperate children who, like our own children, just want to play, to go to school, to see their friends, to be with their moms and dads. 

Unable to see the anguish of the Palestinian people, mothers and fathers, grandparents, who have lost everything - who hope that their precious families would grow up in safety and peace with a home to call their own.

How do we bring light to this situation that seems so hopeless?

I applaud and support the global movement to uphold the Palestinian people, to speak out against this genocide, to raise daily awareness of the dire crisis unfolding in Gaza. These protestors are using their voices, their media platforms to be light and hope for the Palestinian people.

I pray for a change of heart and courage for our political leaders to take a firm stance against war and against the Israeli agenda. We cannot stand by and make suggestions to Netanyahu. War is not the way!