More than ever. Our nation troubles me.

When a hopeful exchange of ideas blows up into battle simply because of different viewpoints. You’d think I’d have learned by now.

When a reasonable discussion crumbles as one seems only desirous to prove themselves right rather than consider where we might (both) be wrong. You’d think I’d have learned by now.

When politicians—apparently more concerned about “their” office and the possession of power rather than serving others—act like politicians. You’d think I’d have learned by now.

When any call for unity or attempt to find common ground is met with distrust or even contempt because we are so divided. You’d think I’d have learned by now.

God bless me for wishing we could be kind to one another, discuss ideas freely without fear, seek good greater than self, interact like reasonable people, and treat others no matter who they are with respect. You’d think I’d have learned by now.

A friend wrote (with apologies to King David), “Some trust in orange men; others trust in women in white; but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.” Trusting God; you’d think I’d have learned that by now too.