I hate pleasing him, yet I keep talking about him. I am as guilty as anyone, his co-conspirator. See here! Even now I am talking about him! No name is needed. He gets his supporters to cheer and his detractors to howl. He keeps us ringside, clapping and booing, a ringmaster who compels our attention and participation. He is happiest when he is in our heads, his name on our lips … or so I imagine. Even if we oppose him, we support him when we join the spectacle and turn our attention to him. This insight troubles me. I say, let God’s name be on our lips, not that other guy’s. Let our talk be about God’s will, God’s love, how the good might appear on earth as it is in heaven. Saying this is one thing, doing it may require divine intervention.
Click here to read the full essay.
PHOTO PRAYER 2025-03
Photo of a stuffed moose head and American flag in Mississippi. Photo and text copyright 2025 by Danny Nelson Schweers.
COMMENTS
George P. wrote:
Danny, I agree about your insight as to how he pervades our souls. It is weird and I hope you are right as to what to do and think and say. The higher power of the serenity prayer perhaps.
Terry P. wrote:
God DOES work in wonderful ways… Your email this morning was one of them… Sitting with coffee, watching the birds, talking with God and worrying about my wife – hurting from ‘life’. How does God know when to come into the ‘action? A ‘miracle’ waiting to happen… … Thank you!
Shari P. wrote:
Hi Danny! For the very first time, I have to disagree with you. I am not: A pleaser. A co-conspirator. A spectacle. I am particularly disappointed in your depiction of people clapping and booing, ringside. We are not barking dogs and that was a mighty condescending invective. I feel you have totally undermined the intention of people who are trying to do something about this travesty happening to Americans. I have left God out of this; it’s up to us with our free will to act.
Peggy H. wrote:
Agree totally. It was such a relief to see Pope Leo’s face on the screen for those few days of relief. I wish we had some kind of screen and sound filter that we could put on our TVs to filter out the other guy’s toxic image and voice!
Royster H. wrote:
Amen! Too many of us locked up in our own heads and not calling out enough.
Mike C. wrote:
Thank you Danny! That was delightful and so very true.
Katherine A. wrote:
Amen.
Tom D. wrote:
Right on!
Bobbie B. wrote:
Amen!
Patricia W. wrote:
Well said Danny!
Rosemary C. wrote:
Right on!!!
Bill M. wrote:
He who must not be named, right? Here’s to divine intervention!
Barbara C. wrote:
Perfectly said!!! Thank you for sharing!!!
David N. wrote:
Ignoring him is worse.
Holly W. wrote:
Excellent, Danny.
Cath P. wrote:
He thrives on any attention, so don’t give him the attention. Let’s take care of each other and hold legislators and the judiciary accountable.
Susan K. wrote:
He is obviously jerking us around. He imposes tariffs and then removes them. Our 401(k)s go up and down, and he is loving the attention he gets. I personally think that each, and every one of us don’t need that kind of stress and anxiety . Like somebody said he’s just taking space up in your head and he’s not worth it.
The people that keep talking about it, every single day is probably out of anxiety, are doing harm to themselves. Those who are going out with posters . Nobody cares.
Barbara C. wrote:
Best to focus on what we can control and find ways to enjoy life before it’s too late.
Ann J-M. wrote:
Amen! Do not let him rent space in you head and heart.
Connie H.G. wrote:
We must spend our days building community that utterly resists evil. Not one person’s evil, but all that damages human dignity, opportunity and the capacity to care.
Sharon B. wrote:
I like this Danny.
Tom F. wrote:
Well spoken Danny. I am torn about protesting, Maybe I just need to show up at protest sharing Gods love. Thinking about what my sign should say.
Lloyd C. wrote:
Right on, Danny
To make a comment, click here.
Subscribe to these as they are created. Click here to learn more.