I have a question for you.

Over the last 5-6 years our nation and the world has seemed to be turned on its ear, and with each new news nugget we scratched our heads and wondered if this was actually real. From irrational anger to acts of violence, natural and man made disasters, embarrassment our leaders have brought to our nation, and a general sense of instability of living in this country. Are you feeling similar? I have found myself saying “hey, why is this happening now, when life should be simple – run a small business, keep a big garden, love my husband, and keep my house.” I dont think that is very different that the countless generations before us have known. Right?

The question I have for you is how is it that everything in this life has begun to divide us, to cause some of us to believe life from one vantage, and others almost like they are on the other side of the great gulf believing a different picture. How can we allow life to press us out of measure, and cause such deep divides?

This comes up because recently I met several good friends for dinner. We have been through thick and thin together, and until recently even though our political and faith views have varied there was a deep desire to put aside the differences to support and encourage each other. But then the elephant in the room began to appear. Little cracks in our deep friendship appeared based on current political winds of our nation. These are women that speak their mind, but always with a gentle touch, knowing the differences are something we accept in each other. Not this time. No, there was a clear anger, a palpable lack of willingness to agree to disagree. How did we allow this division to happen?

How has our nation become a hair trigger away from bursts of anger and irreconcilable disagreement?

And more importantly, how can we bring changes that will unify us as a people. No, I am not saying we sing “Kumbaya” and blindly agree with each other. I am suggesting we respect each other enough to all for differences.

My faith based answer is 1. PRAY