Some of you know that I am well into writing my new book – it will be a 365-day (plus one for the leap-year) collection of daily readings.

Friday afternoon I completed editing an entry based on the following passage from Jeremiah:

This is what the Lord says: Be fair-minded and just. Do what is right! Help those who have been robbed; rescue them from their oppressors. Quit your evil deeds! Do not mistreat foreigners, orphans, and widows. Stop murdering the innocent! – Jeremiah 22:3-4

In the book I reference the scriptural mandate to “act justly,” talking about some of the efforts we make as a family to follow God in everyday life. Such as purchasing items like “Fairly Traded” coffee where possible. The following is an excerpt I would like to share.

“Fair Trade” Coffee:

I understand that there is no perfect model for “acting justly,” and also that there is a lot of debate and controversy surrounding the “fair trade” movement in general. But lack of consensus is not an excuse for doing nothing, so I’m happy to take my coffee investment away from blatant exploitation and reassign it to a venue that is at least trying, and at least transparent in its practices.

There are three statements I want to highlight – that I want you think about – because I believe this principle has broad applications:

First – “Lack of consensus is no excuse for doing nothing.”

“Lack of consensus is no excuse for doing nothing.”

Then – “While the arguers are facing off, the religious law-keepers are judging, and the agitators are trying to prove everyone else wrong – the real work of the Kingdom of God is accomplished by tens, scores, hundreds, thousands and millions of small acts of love and kindness, widely distributed by faithful practitioners of grace.”

The real work of the Kingdom of God is accomplished by tens, scores, hundreds, thousands and millions of small acts of love and kindness, widely distributed by faithful practitioners of grace.

The choice our family makes to shop “fair trade” is only one small initiative of grace. But if enough of us repeat small acts of love, consistently, like quiet kindnesses in a marriage, we can chip away at the groundwater of what’s wrong until over time grace and mercy win the upper hand.

And that is the third “read this!” – and I believe it is huge:

If enough of us repeat small acts of love and kindness, we can chip away at the groundwater of what’s wrong until – over time – grace and mercy win the upper hand.

Enjoy an amazing weekend wherever you are and whatever you are doing. Love and blessings – always – DEREK