Why we need to take a second look

at lots of things this week...

Psalm 107:1-9

“O give thanks to the Lord who is good,

whose faithful love endures forever.”

Let the redeemed of the Lord say this,

those redeemed from the hand of the foe,

and gathered from far-off lands,

from east and west, north and south.

They wandered in a barren desert,

finding no way to a city they could dwell in.

Hungry they were and thirsty;

their soul was fainting within them.

Then they cried to the Lord in their need,

and God rescued them from their distress,

guiding them along a straight path,

to reach a city they could dwell in.

Let them give thanks for the love of the Lord,

such wonders for the human race:

God satisfies the thirsty soul,

and fills the hungry with good things.

I read a psalm every morning and then talk with God. The other morning, I read these verses from Psalm 107 and said to myself, Nice thoughts, but nothing there for me today.

Then I stopped and remembered that God makes no mistakes, so I read them a second time and then a third, slowly.

These verses speak so eloquently for those who long for peace in Ukraine or the Middle East, for healing of broken minds or bodies, for the means to feed our families, for restoration of homes after a storm, for a lost job, or a safe place to sleep. In other words, to me and each of us, at one time or another.

This morning’s verses wisely reminded me that I am to pray for not only for the circle of my family and friends, but for strangers I will never meet, but whom God loves as dearly as He loves me, and you.

Next week we will elect new leaders, from local county commissioners, to the President of the United States. But our country is so thoroughly divided that half of us will be disappointed no matter the outcome.

Over the summer I began watching

Mark Halperin

’s Two Way Morning Meeting on YouTube and Zoom. (most of you know I’m a political junkie.)

And a funny thing happened. The program features political commentary, but then opens up to participants in the Zoom audience for questions or comments. I heard from zealous supporters on both sides.

Over the weeks, I went from adamantly defending my views to realizing I share commonalities with Americans who will be voting for the other candidate.

I hope you can see where this is going…

We are One Nation Under God not because we think the same way, but because, despite of our differences, we are one nation beloved by God. And God calls us to care for our neighbors, yes our nation, as we care for ourselves.

So, no matter the outcome of next week’s election, I will ask God to give wisdom and compassion to our next president. And I will pray that we recall not what divides us, but the goodness of this nation that unites us.