raging grannies

A story from Chris I thought I would pass along...
(pictures to follow when I figure out how to download from a phone)

So I'm standing at a Peace Rally in front of Lansdowne Park. For the last couple of years, CANSEC, a group of military contractors has met in this public space. They meet with government officials from Canada, America and elsewhere to deal arms. When they hold this event in our city, it usually draws a crowd of people who protest arms trafficking.
I will never forget the experience. My daughter, Elora, is cavorting and playing around with Curtis, one of our youth leaders. Steve, another guy from our site is helping various people hold up their banners. He is also playing Mr. Social introducing me to tons of people at the rally. My wife, Michelle is like a hippie straight out of the 60's. (Love you!) She's flashing the peace sign at people as they drive by and honk. She is putting images and quotes about peace on a large banner that we actually didn't end up using. (Again, love ya!)

People of all different faith persuasions and backgrounds are making speeches: politicians, poets, Hindus, agnostics, and even a few Christians! I then hear something behind me. I turn to look at one of the exits out of the fenced-in trade show. There's a group of young adults yelling at a car -- "Shame! Shame! Terrorist! War Criminal!" They spit on the car as it passes by. I feel ashamed.

I paused in that moment and thought, "How did these young adults turn a peace movement into a mission of hate? And do they even realize they are doing this?" On one hand they say they are here to show compassion for the victims of war, but then they turn to hate to try and prove their point. Jesus said that even good people know how to be nice to those who dislike them. His calling is much higher. It is a calling to love those we disagree with, even those who are our enemies.

Fortunately, someone was there to demonstrate another way to take a stand for peace. She was an 80-year-old woman and member of the Raging Grannies. You have to love any movement that is called the "Raging Grannies!" This is a movement of senior women from across North America who work against the proliferation of violence. She decides to stand in front of a line of cars about to leave.

One of the many police officers there to keep peace and order comes up and stands beside her. He clearly looks uncomfortable. You can see his brain churning -- "How in the world do I get an elderly lady to move without looking like a jerk?" As the police officer is trying to figure out what to do, the woman looks to the driver of the car and points her finger at him. I quickly discover that this Granny can preach. She tells the driver and all who are listening the straight truth. At this trade show, there will be weapons dealt that will go on to kill children in conflicts around the world.

I was humbled. She had courage to speak truth. She didn't spit. She didn't curse. After she said her piece, she politely followed the police officer away from the car. Yet as she stepped aside, she made it clear. She had taken her stand that right.

In John 8, Jesus defends a woman who was caught in adultery. He took a stand to protect her and offer her grace and forgiveness. He had the courage to speak truth to the angry crowd. I think I saw a glimpse of Jesus in this elderly woman. She confronted others as she took her stand for peace, for mercy, for love. And she took her stand modeling from start to finish the exact same spirit of peace that she was calling others to embrace.

That is the amazing thing about truth. It doesn't need to be yelled or shouted or spit out at people. It doesn't need to be backed up with rage or anger. It simply stands for itself. When we speak the truth in love, everyone takes notice."