Alka's Angle

I don’t know about you but it seems that I have lived a life or two in these past two weeks. We have been on the edge waiting to hear what the next announcement will be about. And on Thursday morning, amidst everything else, we wake up to the news of the midair collision of a regional jet plane and Black Hawk helicopter, with no possibility of survivors which was confirmed before the day was over. I am unable to fathom the pain that this has caused to many who have lost several members of their families.

The last few days have been like a roller coaster of emotions: filled with anxiety and uncertainty and fear. Even though I have not spent much time in front of TV, I have definitely not escaped the news. If you wish to know- you can learn what Executive orders were signed on Monday, some that directly affect our ministries and the communities we serve.

The ongoing wildfires in California, relentless genocide of Palestinian people, continued climate change, upcoming transfer of power in the political makeup of our country, and much more that our world is experiencing; so much is changing around us, some of which causes a lot of anxiety within us. Change, in general, can be hard, and also brings moments where life’s greatest possibilities can emerge. 

As I sit in my front room, watching the snow come down slowly, covering all the parked cars, I am grateful that I can work from home, and I am mindful of the unhoused who hopefully have found refuge in libraries and coffee shops. And I am holding the people of California in God’s care as they struggle through another disaster that is disrupting their daily lives and devastating the area, even as we speak. According to reports, more than 9000 structures have been destroyed, not even counting the people who are displaced. 

Here we are- entering into a new year, and I don’t know about you but I enter the year with much trepidation and hope to find ways to stay resilient and strong in my commitment to do what I am called to do.