War is a state of open, armed, often prolonged conflict carried on between nations, according to the American Heritage Dictionary. Are the conflicts ever actually resolved? Or, after thousands of dollars have been spent and lives lost, do the leaders simply put their hands in the air and declare it is enough? Is a tally kept of casualties, on a scoreboard, to declare a winner in the end? There are no rules in war. There are no winners – and it is not a game. The leaders who instigate them do not themselves fight the wars. They remain protected, behind doors armed with bodyguards. The soldiers who do the actual fighting are mere chess pieces with numbers rather than names. They are dispensable.
War affects so much more than the soldiers who are used to fight them. It affects their families and their communities, by the horror and atrocities that live in their memories for the remainder of their lives. It often leaves them dismembered after they have endured unspeakable pain. It affects towns and villages, reducing them to rubble. It cuts off water and food supplies. Innocent people, children, and babies are obliterated along with family pets, chickens, and domesticated animals. Trees, gardens, libraries, and museums are destroyed when bombs are detonated. Wildlife, birds, and even the soil itself cannot escape the horrific blast of an explosion. The cost to rebuild after the devastation is astronomical.
Human beings are waking up to this ugly business of war. We are demanding, NO MORE WAR! We all know on some level that war is NOT the answer. Ever. There are peaceful ways to resolve conflict. We can be grateful that President Biden is seeking those more peaceful means to deal with Russia’s aggression. We will not tolerate war or violence any longer. We know there is a better way. We are praying for peace, for right solutions; and we are praying that the light and love in our hearts will dispel the darkness of Putin.
