This weekend I attended the Recovery Walk in downtown Sandusky. It was a morning filled with encouragement, support, and love. One of the most moving moments was the recovery countdown. Everyone in recovery stood up and as each number of years of recovery was called out, people began sitting down. One year. Two years. Three years…
The final person standing was celebrating 50 years in recovery. There were loud cheers and applause for this man, as there were for each of the previous milestones.
After this individual with 50 years of sobriety sat down, anyone with less than a year of recovery was asked to stand. Eleven months. Ten months. Nine months…
As each month’s individuals sat down, the recovery veterans shouted out, “Keep coming back!” The last person standing was on her eighth day in recovery. The cheers for her were just as loud as for the man with 50 years of recovery under his belt. They called this young lady up front and everyone applauded her.
Why can’t our politics be more like this?
Why can’t our workplaces be more like this?
Why can’t our communities be more like this?
Why can’t our churches be more like this?
We have a President who loves calling people “losers.”
We have an economic system which tends to reward success and image and often penalizes or undervalues those who face struggles or have shortcomings.
We have communities where addicts are more often targets of gossip than recipients of grace and mercy.
We have churches where true vulnerability and transparency are not welcome.
What I saw this weekend was a community where everyone is welcome, all are loved, and failure brings embrace instead of exclusion.
This summer my town has experienced more than it’s fair share of tragedy, including drowning, murder, and suicide. People have asked why.
I don’t believe there is a simple explanation or answer. Trying to find a scapegoat, an excuse, or a simple explanation is taking the easy – and less meaningful – route. But I do believe the attitudes we develop in our communities, our nation, and our world are part of the solution.
Imagine if instead of insulting those we disagree with we would approach them with compassion.
Imagine if we looked at those with mental health struggles, addictions, and economic disadvantages as equals rather than burdens.
Imagine if we measured peoples’ value by their humanity instead of their productivity.
I was reminded today that our value is intrinsic. Each and every one of us is created in the image and likeness of the same Creator. While some of us have had more opportunities and luck and experienced greater “success,” none of us is better than the other.
If we could be completely honest, each of us would admit we are an addict in recovery from something. If it’s not alcohol, drugs, gambling, or sex, it might be reputation, financial achievement, or pleasure-seeking.
We are all in recovery. We all need community. We all need love. No matter what we look like on the surface, we really aren’t that much different.
Breaking Into Peace 