There are two songs that, if we connect their meanings, might help us look towards a better future as individuals and as a nation: I Believe, written by Stillman, Drake, Graham, and Shirk, and Somewhere from West Side Story, written by Bernstein and Sondheim. I often get ideas for blogs when I am cleaning my house, as if cleaning takes all the “bad stuff” out in my vacuum cleaner. The same is true of what we need to do with our lives and what is paramount in our nation’s ability to survive as a democracy. The paraphrased use of these lyrics may help us “clean out” our hearts, minds, and souls.
God sends rain so that flowers can grow. Despite the darkness, pain, and fear we are feeling as a nation, there are candles burning for the peace we need. We have all gone astray at some time in our lives, but special people have come along to help us through our difficulties. Beyond our trials and tribulations, the smallest prayer can still be heard above the noise. Someone greater than all of us hears every word, every sigh, every pause, every cry. With the blessings of babies, with touching all things of nature, and with every moment we look at the sky, I know why I believe, because with God,all things are possible. We make mistakes, but He does not. So I walk towards the light and know that I carry Jesus Christ in my heart.
Somewhere is a love ballad written for two teenagers who happen to fall in love and are from different cultures, but its lyrics apply to all of us as we struggle with what our responses should be to personal crises and national civility. There is a place for all of us on this earth, a place where peace and quiet await us. There is a time for all of us to be together, sharing space, time to learn, and time to care. Some day, we will all find a way of living for each other and forgiving each other as Christ has taught us to do. We need a place to call home, a place to hold hands, a place where we can gather in love. Will you take my hand, somewhere, some day, some how?
I believe with the smallest of gestures we can overcome our personal crises and our nation’s struggles in seeing what we have become. With peace, hope, light, love, and grace, this world will be better for all of us somewhere, some day. We must hold onto God’s promises and believe we can get along, because He sent His Son to die for us. Believe in each other, believe in Jesus Christ, and believe in the peace we all cherish by the announcement of the tiniest cries of new-born babies, the aerial ballet of a beautiful butterfly, and a sky filled with bright stars. With all your heart and soul, believe that God is watching and that He wants what is best for us. Somewhere, some day, some how … we will survive.
Anna Hartt
