A Devotion for the Leeries

Still from Disney Films

This past weekend, my family and I went to see “Mary Poppins Returns,” the sequel to the beloved 1964 film. I won’t give any plot points away, or ruin any of the magic, but I did want to share something that was particularly moving to me.

At one point in the movie, the three Banks children find themselves lost on a dark and dreary night, unable to find their way home in the dense fog. In response to their downcast state, Jack their friendly lamplighter (or “leerie” in 1930s British slang) encourage them to “trip a little light fantastic.”

He sings

“And when the fog comes rolling in, just
Keep your feet upon the path
Mustn't mope and frown or worst lie down
Don't let it be your epitaph

So when life is getting scary, be your own illuminary
Who can shine the light for all the world to see
As you trip a little light fantastic with me.”

The scene of this song is one of joyous song and dance, bright beams of light against a dark, sooty, and shadow-streaked night.

In the darkened theater, I watched as my kids, and dozens of others, absorbed those words. I felt like a kid myself, transported to a world where light could be spread simply by turning on a streetlamp, dancing and singing with penguins along brick lined streets to a safe and warm home that awaited us.

The world of Mary Poppins is not our world, but we know darkness all the same.

We know what it feels like to find ourselves disoriented and discouraged, the bleakness around us thick and heavy.

It is the same dark night that Martin Luther King Jr spoke words of light to over 55 years ago. This man, a preacher, scholar, reverend, activist, organizer, husband, father, and friend – he was a man who knew the darkness well. He knew the realities of oppression and racism, the thorns of segregation and discrimination; he knew these injustices and he called his nation to awaken to them and to repent and be healed. He called for reform of the systems that oppress and dehumanize, to proclaim God’s love and justice for all, and to dream and work for freedom for all people.

In his book “Strength to Love,” Dr. King wrote the following:

“Returning hate for hate multiplies hate,
adding deeper darkness to a night already devoid of stars.
Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that.
Hate cannot drive out hate, only love can do that.”

My friends, we would be fooling ourselves if we think that the injustices that Dr. King spoke against and sacrificed his life for are things of the past. We, as individuals and as a nation, are still haunted and plagued by the insidious sins of racism and oppression.

As we celebrate and honor Dr. King’s legacy, we do so with a responsibility. We are people who witnessed the light of the world come down; we have tasted and seen the goodness of God that is life in Jesus Christ. And we cannot and must not remain in the darkness, nor should we be satisfied leaving others in the heaviness and suffering of injustice, poverty, discrimination, and oppression

Our work of disaster recovery may seem like one small match strike in a sea of night. But when we commit ourselves to this work each day, we slowly and steadily help light the way or someone whose life has seemed to be plagued by darkness for months. In coming alongside survivors, we honor their stories by listening, shedding light on pain and trauma that may have lingered in the long dark nights.

Friends, we get to be leeries! Our work is a light to others that reminds them that they are not alone and not forgotten.

As Dr. King also famously said

"Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?'"

Let’s leave a legacy of light. Let’s trip a little light fantastic, and drive the darkness out day by day.

Grace and peace,

Chaplain Amy