(Written 3 weeks ago)

She reached out and grabbed my hand.  Her smile told me how much she cared. I reached over and took the hand of the person on my other side, who in turn did the same. “We are the world, we are the children,” proudly left each person’s lips. As the lyrics flowed from my mouth, I looked at the hands of people around the room. Black. White. Hispanic. Young. Middle-aged. Elderly. A smile that began in my heart spread to my face.

            It’s been a hard few weeks in Madison County. My heart is so burdened for the decisions to come from our school district in the days and weeks ahead. If we handle this wrongly, the divide will widen. If we handle it rightly, we can move ahead in faith and trust.

            Listening to the love, hope, inspiration, and wisdom from the ladies who shared Saturday filled my heart with hope. The Visionary Women’s Program put on by the Nu Omega Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha was overflowing with one common theme: Unity. Harmony. Togetherness. If I heard it once I heard it a dozen times. If we are going to make our community better, we must come together, work together, and grow together. There are moments in life we wish would never end. Holding hands and singing that song was one of those moments.

            During the upcoming school board meetings, I’ll be praying for that type of unity. When I walk the halls of Madison County Central School, I’ll be praying for that kind of unity. When I’m alone, talking to my Jesus, I’ll ask him for that kind of unity.

            There’s an old hymn that I love to sing, and I’m going to end with the words of the chorus. We are one in the bond of love. We have joined our spirit to the Spirit of God. We are one in the bond of love.

May we never forget or neglect our God who binds us together in real unity. And in real love.