It was one of those mornings I was thinking, "Why do I do this to myself?" I'd been at church into the evening the night before, so when my son awoke he seemed a little surprised to see me (guilt, guilt). My husband is out of town, so morning breakfast/ changing/ washing up/ packing up/ lunch making was all on my own. I saw #1 to the bus and then packed up #2 to preschool, writing out a check at the last minute for school pictures, which happened to be today. I rushed into the office to download directions to the meeting I had in 20 minutes, 20 minutes away. And I knew that that was it for the morning's work. By the time I was done, it would be nearly time to pick up my son again. Ack! Why do I do this?
The meeting was with a staff member of our soon-to-be-retiring Congressman Jim Ramstad, to urge him to take stronger leadership on climate change measures. I was one of two pastors, along with two mayors and several state legislators. They were strong, positive, articulate company, all taking time out from equally busy lives because this matters so, so much.
I told her now is the time. This is a moral issue that dwarfs all the others because in 50 years my children may be asking, "Why didn't they do something before it's too late?" It's a theft from our children to go on living as if carbon emissions don't matter.
That's why I do this to myself. It's good to be reminded every now and then.
