"Let justice roll down like waters," a mom's plea
and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream." ~ Amos 5:24
I was reading Amos chapter 5 last night in my Bible. I'm not one for taking scripture out of context and I'm not going to unpack this chapter, but I highly recommend reading it yourself. In a nutshell, God is correcting Israel again. And then He talks to them about what true religion looks like. Part of this description includes the above verse which struck me hard.
Here is the Matthew Henry commentary on this part:
"In particular, let justice be duly administered by magistrates and rulers; let not the current of it be stopped by partiality and bribery, but let it come freely as waters do, in the natural course; let it be pure as running waters, not muddied with corruption or whatever may pervert justice; let it run like a mighty stream, and not suffer itself to be obstructed, or its course retarded, by the fear of man; let all have free access to it as a common stream, and have benefit by it as trees planted by the rivers of waters.’’ The great thing laid to Israel’s charge was turning judgment into wormwood"
In my house, the Christmas presents are not all purchased. And cards written? Not even on the radar. We have 3/4 of our icicle lights on the house and one section is sagging because it fell off the hook. I can't find my Christmas tree skirt, but thank God the tree is up! Tonight I finally made my youngest son's birthday cake that he requested. His birthday was in August. Yes, I'm pathetic, my husband and I are pathetic. But we have this son whose care we are charged with, and to maintain that care we have to stay just inches away from the strong tide that threatens to overcome our family. The tide of pushing him into "community" because his residential group home, that is working for him now, is only temporary. Because this is what's best for everyone with mental illness, isn't it? Community.
We find ourselves in such an interesting circumstance. I can just imagine people right now telling our family to trust God, to look to Him.
Trust me we are looking to Him. We are trusting Him.
It's going to take a miracle. I believe in miracles, because I believe in a big God.
But here's the Red Sea for us: No long term care and supports for our son except scattered, independent housing. None. Zippo. and this is the story everywhere in the United States. I do not exaggerate.
Maybe some can make it like this. I'm not fatalistic, but our son can't. And due to the nature of his needs, we are not prepared for him to be home. We all wouldn't make it.
Does that sound cruel? It does to me too. But this is the reality of our lives. And countless others in America. Most don't even have what we have now.
So this is where dear Amos comes in for me. We fight. We fight for justice for the weak. Here's one way: we call our U.S. Representatives and urge, plead, beg him or her to support or even co sponsor H.R. 3717, "The Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act" introduced by Representative Tim Murphy, PA.
Rep. Murphy did his homework. This is a smart, compassionate and well investigated bill. A defense of the weakest among us bill.
And if you think this bill will be a piece of cake legislation to pass? Let me assure you, we have enemies. I've received several emails from "advocacy" and "disability rights groups" that are urging members to call and oppose. I'll save this issue for another post...
For now we pray. We fight. We beg that others would make a phone call or two, send an email. Join us.
It's time for justice to run like a mighty stream...and straight to the least of these.
"Those who need the help the most have the most trouble getting the help they need. And where there is no help, there is no hope. We can and must and we will take mental illness out of the shadows of ignorance, despair and neglect and into that bright light of hope." ~ Congressman Tim Murphy
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