Dear Friends in Christ
In 1973, a man sent a letter expressing his bleak hope for humanity to American writer and author of Charlotte’s Web, E. B. White. While preparing for our sermon this week on Jesus’ parable, I found it in Letters of Note by Shaun Usher. Besides being relevant to Jesus’ point of old, it contains fitting thoughts that all of us need today in our society where compassion has become a “dirty word” amongst some of our nation’s highest political and most powerful Christian leaders.

Here is White’s letter:

North Brooklin, Maine,
30 March 1973
Dear Mr. Nadeau:
As long as there is one upright man, as long as there is one compassionate woman, the contagion may spread and the scene is not desolate. Hope is the thing that is left to us, in a bad time. I shall get up Sunday morning and wind the clock, as a contribution to order and steadfastness.

Sailors have an expression about the weather: they say the weather is a great bluffer. I guess the same is true of our human society – things can look dark, then a break shows in the clouds, and all is changed, sometimes rather suddenly. It is quite obvious that the human race has made a queer mess of life on this planet. But as a people we probably harbor seeds of goodness that have lain for a long time waiting to sprout when the conditions are right. Man’s curiosity, his relentlessness, his inventiveness, his ingenuity have led him into deep trouble. We can only hope that these same traits will enable him to claw his way out.

Hang on to your hat. Hang on to your hope. And wind the clock, for tomorrow is another day.
Sincerely,
E. B. White

As a citizen and follower of Jesus, what do you think?
Blessings of Compassion,
Pastor Ed