Imagine a year like this!
9th January 2012 · 0 Comments
By Dr. E. Faye Williams, Esq.
TriceEdneyWire.com Columnist
2011 was not been the best of years for many in our country, but there is hope for 2012. Imagine a year where all Americans loved America enough to work toward making our country better for all of us. I know that New Year’s Resolutions are usually all about us. Many of us will pledge to lose weight, earn more money, go to bed earlier, begin meditating or begin exercising. Most of us work on those resolutions for a few weeks, some even a few months, and then it’s back to business as usual. I know how it goes because I have done it so often.
This year, I decided not to wish for anything personal, knowing that if my new wishes for all of us were fulfilled, I would still be happy; so I decided to imagine a year for all of us! First, I imagine a year where all Americans showed basic respect for our President and First Lady. What is there not to like about them? I can’t imagine a thing, but you don’t have to like someone to respect them.
Imagine a Congress where 535 Members came to work each day with the thought of improving life for all Americans, instead of trying to block others from doing so.
Imagine schools where all children were welcomed, and knew that everyone was there to provide for them quality education, sparing no effort to educate them to the fullest and to help them make something special of themselves.
Imagine that our schools, our streets and homes were safe places for young people because we were all working against child abuse and neglect, and against violence toward everybody. Children would be happy and respectful to adults because we were all working to give them a better life than we gave many in 2011.
Imagine that hunger just disappears in 2012 because we all look out for our neighbors and share whatever we have. We would take to heart and practice the Biblical verses that call us to the words of Matthew 25:34-40:
34. “Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world.’
35. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in,
36. I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit.
37. “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink?
38. When did we see you a stranger and invite you in or needing clothes and clothe you?
39. When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’
40.”The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.’
Imagine all of us doing our part to provide a sustainable livelihood for every adult. There would be no need for the culture wars (or any kind of wars) we’re experiencing because all of us would have enough!
Imagine a nation where all of us did our share. All we’d have to add is the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have others do unto you.” Imagine our working together for the greater good of our nation in 2012! 2013 and beyond would be awesome! Let’s do it! Happy New Year!
This article was originally published in the January 9, 2012 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper
