You are Still My Neighbor

You are still you, I am still me, and God is still God. No matter which person gets elected as President of the United States, those statements are truth. All day long I have had two thoughts running through my head. The first is Jesus command to love our neighbors. The second is the song that Mr. Rogers sung every week, “Won’t You be my Neighbor?” Both speak to figuring out a way to treat each other in a kind, loving, and compassionate way. It seems to me that this is the only way that we have a shot of making this journey doable.

I am not suggesting that we join hands and sing camp songs. Although, really, it isn’t a half bad idea. Singing together is powerful. What I am suggesting is that, while we may vehemently disagree about issues that are of incredible importance to us, we can still treat each other with respect and kindness. We can still listen to each other and hear the reasons behind the beliefs we hold so dear. It is even possible that we might learn something new or see something from a new perspective. Even if we don’t, even if when the discussion is over, we are on opposite sides of the issue, we can still treat others the way we want to be treated.

Not only can we, I think we must. The headlines all say that we are a country divided. The news stories prove it as people are killing each other over race and religion. Fear and anxiety continue to rise as we draw lines in the sand and refuse to even consider maybe the line could be skewed. I am not asking anyone to change their beliefs. I hold some extraordinarily strong ones. What if we just listened to each other without forming our response while they talk? What if we treated each other as children of God – dearly loved and uniquely created?

Tomorrow morning, or whenever they sort it all out, we will have a new President elect. We also have a whole new day to love our neighbors better – even when it is hard.