Benevolence, Benevolence…

“Benevolence, Benevolence! I know you reside here as the monarch of benevolence, among the steeples and spires pointing heavenward, rising above the mundane. Has anyone summoned you of late? I figured so much, in hiding, huh? But, we need you, Benevolence, now, more than ever… this great nation, “one nation under God, indivisible.”

“Benevolence, you are the scarlet cord of hope hanging in our windows as Rahab did, granting dignity to the hopeless. Surely, you are here!”

“In your eyes the love of God smiles toward everyone. Low estate or high, no matter, your care reaches through a tender touch, an understanding heart. Empathy furrows your forehead. With pursed lips you listen to the needy and open your hands of plenty. My favorite characteristic about you, Benevolence, truly; I admire how you make the recipient of your kindness feel like they did you a favor. You say, ‘Please take this bread (your last loaf). I have more than enough.’ “

Slowly turning around, scanning my surroundings, as convincingly as possible, I said, “Your foundational strength formed us and keeps us, The United States of America! Benevolence, this nation was cradled in your arms when France gave our freedom’s call significance by helping us during the Revolutionary War supplying 9 of the 10 arms we carried and all the gunpowder! Would we have freedom without you?”

“Ahh, see why I miss you! Those among the steeples and spires shared you with the weak, the poor, the traveler. No wonder the watchtower, adapted from military outposts, became incorporated into structures of faith. They set watch over this kindhearted nation, longing to help the lost, the needy, the hopeless, the sick. And the bell towers beckon all! Surely, Benevolence is a monastery of grand design parlayed across our nation!”

We’ve gone too far, haven’t we? We’ve left the spires and watchtowers. You’ve given up on us! Oh, oh, I see it now!”

I tipped my head forward and closed my eyes as tears flowed at the thought of losing our moorings and influence as the premier humanitarian country. I admire courage and loyalty and determination but without Benevolence they fail to buttress our nation. As I mourned the loss of Benevolence, I reluctantly opened my eyes. Please don’t let me see our country void of kindness and charity toward each other!

I pause long enough to clear the tears from my eyes and I notice a muscular man standing quietly across the room from me. A warrior wearing battle fatigues, a weapon slung over his shoulder, tall, proud. He strides over to my side of the room.

I notice medals of valor adorning his chest. Yes, muscular, yes, armed, but tenderness washed his expression. I wondered how I missed that initially.

Benevolence nodded, “Ma’am, still here.” Slowly he removed his camouflaged helmet and held it close to his heart. With the other hand he pointed at me. “The United States has forgotten, the spires and steeples gave way to me, Benevolence. They instituted orphanages, hospitals, schools. The government often augmented their collective heart believing this the kindest way to reach the downtrodden. Truly, that union made this Union great!”

“And, ahh, yes,” Benevolence stopped pacing and looked at me… “You know about the nuns from France who opened an orphanage and school for street girls in New Orleans in 1727, our first Catholic charity?”

Benevolence stretched out his arms toward me in hopeful anticipation of my response. I sighed. He understood.

He sighed. I understood.

“Okay, Okay, but surely you know early hospitals opened to help the poor with funding from faith-based groups? The wealthy were cared for at home by their families and doctors visited them. But the indigent needed shelter. Benevolence and steeples and spires again!”

“The sonnet from Emma Lazarus on the base of the Statue of Liberty was written with me in mind! Who would welcome the “tired, the poor, the masses” without me, without Benevolence?”

“Ma’am, still here, dressed for battle. I fight for every unsafe street, every hungry child, the weak, the vulnerable. Tell me, Ma’am, why did you suspect that nobody’s summoned me of late?”

I slumped my shoulders a bit and took a deep breath…”Well, obviously, Benevolence is the hinge on which the doors of a stable society swings. This great nation, our United States of America, needs a Benevolence hinge on our doors. Yes, open the door to charity, kindness, dignity.

Benevolence smiles for the first time. Not surprised that he’s handsome and easy to talk to.

“Still here, Ma’am. And I’ll be the hinge. Don’t be discouraged. I’m still among the steeples and the spires. Our union makes this Union great!”

Sources by request