My body is shaking….

Tears are streaming down my face…

A relief I haven’t felt in months….

My uncomfortableness opened to victory….

The last several months, in my beloved state of North Dakota, has been complex. Water protectors fighting to protect their water and stop the Dakota Access Pipeline. Law enforcement who were simply trying to do their jobs and uphold the law. Friends on both sides of the issue.

In the midst of it all, I have tried to listen to both sides while also following the calling of my heart.
“But what does the Lord require of you, but to do justice, love kindness/mercy and walk humbly with our God!”–Micah 6:8. There were days I wanted to curl up into a ball and hide away from it all. But there was a persistence from God that wouldn’t let me. I needed to listen to all who were being impacted by this situation.

So many times, over the last months, I’ve heard “Protesting doesn’t work.” “You’re wasting your time.” But tonight, as I hear the news, I can’t help but realize that those whatevers to those statements; whatevers were meant to silence our native siblings instead have been silenced themselves.

And as those whatevers are silenced, I can’t help but wonder what the stories our prairies will tell in the days, weeks and months to come. My hope is that the prairies will tell the stories of people who believed in an important cause and came together.

“His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor and will gather his wheat into the granary; but the chaff he will burn with unquenchable fire.”–Matthew 3:12 (NRSV) 

Will we be the wheat or the chaff blowing in the wind?