From the NATIONAL CHAPLAIN REFLECTIONS MICHAEL P. DOVER H Using your words to unify, not divide ave you ever just stopped and to you handing you peanuts. My faith thought about the words you say teaches me that Jesus is the pilot. or the environment in which you He is in control. And without the pilot, say them? Sometimes we reflexively we crash. use words and phrases to offer advice God helps those who help or consolation, but they may not themselves. From my faith perspective, necessarily convey the message this is said in error. My Creator gives or sentiment we intend. grace to the humble, Let’s look at a few. the downtrodden and There are good God is not giving brokenhearted—those principles from you more than you who have no ability to can handle. I cringe our various faith help themselves. To when I hear this say that my Creator perspectives statement, as my faith helps those who help that can help us teaches the opposite. themselves is putting a Things can seem be better people barrier between what my overwhelming in every Creator says is true of and better DAV bad situation, but it’s in who he helps and what members. these times that we learn we perceive. He is to lean on or trust in the willing to help any Creator—and sometimes those around and all who want and receive it. us. We shouldn’t feel compelled to DAV and the Auxiliary are non-handle everything ourselves. sectarian organizations working toward Everything happens for a reason. a common goal: helping veterans and Even if this is theologically and technically their families. There are good principles true, it can be deeply offensive to people from our various faith perspectives that who are experiencing a tragic moment can help us be better people and better in their lives. Sometimes things are DAV members. Unfortunately, even in senseless, like the death of a child, the my own faith, we are divided, and this diagnosis of a terminal illness or the explains a lot about the current condi-sudden loss of employment. Bad things tion in America. happen, it’s true, but the mark of a true So be careful what you say next time. friend can be to simply sit in the presence Pick and choose your words carefully of a person who is hurting and listen, so that we may unify, not divide. And without offering any words of wisdom. remember, if you have nothing good to Jesus is my co-pilot. This is a great say, sometimes it’s better to say nothing bumper sticker, but in reality you’re not at all but rather to listen. flying the plane and Jesus is not next In His Service to You DAV | @DAVHQ | DAVHQ | COMPANY/DAVHQ | DAVETERANS | DISABLEDVETERANS 33
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Using your words to unify, not divide
Michael P. Dover
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