Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Whew!!!  We are finished with the 2024 Presidential race. ….. I pray.  We should fall to our knees because we need our souls cleansed, our hearts reborn, and our mouths washed out.    Words such as lousy, stupid, looser, and no-good should be avoided for at least a few weeks until our ears recover.

Free speech or not, threats, lies, and misinformation used to intimidate, weaken, and undermine our democracy should never be tolerated by anyone who calls this nation home.  During these last few months, how often were we embarrassed by our partisan political behavior while our adversaries applauded?  Can anyone count that high?

We must rise above this shameful quagmire and can do so with the help of our shared values, including those rooted in faith.  Regardless of who is elected to America’s highest office, let’s expect them to work for all citizens.  May they refrain from pitting us against each other with untruths, conspiracies, and sheer disgust.  Our unity and shared commitment to a better future are more important than any division.

Let’s also accept defeat with grace without pitching a fit by swearing ballots were thrown out a car window by thousands of illegals who were involved in a coordinated massive scheme, yet not a single soul can prove it.  (Whew!  That was as long a sentence as these last eight years!)  Sorry if I scorched a voter here, but January 6, the day of the Capitol riot, was not a beautiful day when folks died or were injured.  No repeats, please.      

Immigration needs reform, spending must be curbed, and finding solutions to these and other issues requires work and compromise.    For so long,  yelling between representatives of both parties seems more critical than achieving positive results. 

We can believe in truth again instead of embracing fiction, which we seem entertained by.  We all understand that countries like North Korea, China, Iran, and Russia love our discord and dysfunction.  They hope our democracy falls apart with their kind and considerate assistance. 

For example, the other day, someone spread a video of ballots being torn apart by a poll worker who happened to live in Russia.   Of course, some spread the news without bothering to check the facts.   I mean, why go to the trouble of researching? 

These past years have left us all with sleepless nights and angst-filled days.  When I received my flu shot the other day, I asked the pharmacist, “What other vaccines do you have?”  She replied, “COVID, RSV, Shingles, and others.  Is there one you need?”  I answered, “A political anti-venom shot!” 

The good news is that we have three significant events ahead:  Veterans Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.   These occasions serve as a reminder of one word that is universally acceptable….. “Gratitude.”  Let’s take the days ahead to appreciate our blessings, including our freedom and diversity.

We would not have an election cycle, no matter how miserable they can become without the Veteran.  Those who marched from every segment of society, every ethnicity, and various religions to defend this crazy, often cantankerous nation.   They are the soul of America, the bearers of our freedom, and the ones who sacrifice so much for us to say anything we want, even if it is nasty.  Praying openly, voting our conscience, and raising our nation’s banner with pride is a blessing.

When families and friends gather for Thanksgiving, may we lovingly appreciate those who join us to thank God for the gift of each other.  Praising God is far more important than how one votes.  We don’t get into Heaven by the ballots we cast but by how much we share God’s love with others.

By the end of Thanksgiving, Santa will be flying into town.  Children realize they must behave better than perhaps other times because not one of them desires to be on that “naughty list.”  For us a bit older, it is a time when we celebrate the gift of Christ.  God’s son who taught us the path to Heaven was through faith, love, and honor.  And he showed us how the road will be easier if we stay off that “naughty list.”

Between now and December 25, there are many reminders of how we can move upward and out of a political fog.  We should be thankful for each other, our veterans, and the Lord, who, if we ask, will forgive us.  He will clean our souls, wash our mouths, and heal our hearts if we let go of anger, evil, and distrust.  Let’s seek truth and healing and look forward to a brighter future.    

We are Americans who thrive on liberty, justice, and equality.  Let’s appreciate this by being the best we can be.  That’s all we can do to keep future generations living in peace.