We are living in unpredictable times. I know that’s an understatement.
I’m writing this on a day that feels relatively routine. In fact, after some time away, today is my first day back in my usual rhythm. But on Saturday morning, I woke to the news of the bombings in Caracas and the capture of Nicolás Maduro, and I’ll admit that I was shocked. That was certainly unpredictable.
And alongside that, every day we see immigrants torn from their families; farmers struggling under tariffs; small businesses wondering whether they can keep their doors open; trans youth fearing the loss of medical care; and people experiencing sticker shock from a simple grocery receipt. Even if we feel comfortable right now, we know these conditions are unstable. That doesn’t mean everything is doomed, or that we can’t continue to add our own advocacy to these very real needs. We can. But we are living with a deep sense of uncertainty, especially in our collective life.
In unpredictable times, perhaps one of the things we need most is predictable care.
That means leaning into community relationships wherever we can. It means reaching out and staying connected with people we love. It involves introducing people to one another and helping networks of care take root.
Years ago, I remember reading a reflection by Hugh Hallowell, the founder of Love Wins Ministries in North Carolina. He shared that the opposite of homelessness isn’t simply being housed. The real opposite of homelessness, he said, is community, because when people are surrounded by vital, sustaining relationships, the chances are much higher that they won’t end up without a place to go.
In this era of unpredictability, it may be time to invest especially in our relationships and to expand them, for ourselves and for others. We need support, care, shared resources, and collective advocacy.
—Renee Roederer
Smuggling Grace 