Children’s Garden, Frederik Meijer Gardens and Sculpture Park

Like an earthquake building up pressure until the Earth can no longer contain it, sending jolts of power and destruction, so has the situation in Gaza built up until it exploded. After the horrific Hamas attacks on Israel, it’s unpopular to mention that Israel’s long history of human rights violations, made it easy for Hamas to recruit followers.

The tragedy that fell on Israel October 7, is now traumatizing Gaza, where 50 percent of the population is made up of children.

In war there are no winners, only people who suffer the consequences of others actions. Children are the biggest losers of all, whether that child is ripped by a bullet in a kibbutz, or felled by a bomb in Gaza, children lose. Those who survive live with the trauma of lost parents, physical injuries, fears of more killing, more deaths and the constant shelling that re-traumatizes and brings nightmares

In war we dehumanize the other, we demonize those who are not like us. In war, we risk becoming that which we hate.

Jesus called peacemakers blessed for they shall be “Called the children of God.” God’s yearning for humankind is that we live in peace with one another, and right relationship . . . Where all are valued, respected and loved.

Today that seems like a distant dream. Still, there are people working for peace . . . Working for wars to end . . . Working to bring God’s dream for humankind into fruition.

May their numbers increase, and may God’s will for peace and justice on earth be done.

“Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God.” Matthew 5:9