Sketching While the World Burns

Today is the feast day that celebrates the prophetess Anna and Simeon, the two people in the Temple who were first to declare Jesus as Messiah when Mary and Joseph bring Jesus to the Temple for the presentation to the priest, a purification ritual.  They had been waiting to see the Messiah for many decades; Simeon was told that he would see the Messiah before he died.

I think of all that they must have seen in the decades while they waited, all the times they must have wondered if they were delusional.  There are many mornings where I wonder if I am delusional, trusting in the different world that God promises is possible.

I got home from preaching about the Feast Day of the Presentation to find people across social media in a state of disbelief and outrage about remarks made about Lutheran Social Services, with Mike Flynn accusing them of laundering money.  Good grief.  It would be laughable if I didn't know so many people would take this seriously.

I've worked for LSS in my youth, and I have continued to be part of groups that partner with them.  I have seen the good work that they do.  I am also old enough to remember that many of these social service agencies grew bigger as past presidents like Reagan cut government services saying that religious groups should be taking care of the needs of impoverished citizens.  And now, after decades of doing that, there's criticism and blow back/up.

Yesterday I wanted to watch something that might make me feel a bit more brave, so while we have another 2 weeks of Disney+ subscription, we watched A Wrinkle in Time.  Again, I was disappointed in this movie.  On the small screen, it's even more disappointing.  I feel a bit guilty for feeling that way, since the movie involved so many important women in its making.  Sigh.

I did some sketching and reading before deciding it was bedtime.  I was inspired to try flower doodles, and here's what I did last night:

I was inspired by my friend's flower doodles.  I like hers better:

If I continue to doodle flowers, maybe I'll add color to the paper first.

I do wonder about doodling flowers while the world burns.  But I also know of the importance of down time.

I think of a sketch I made years ago, after writing a poem about Anna.

And now it's time to turn my attention to teaching, or more accurately to get ready for my teaching day.  Onward!