Help! Love, MOM

I think that the political party who for the most people, in the most powerful manner, presented the most popular answer to the most pressing question of this economic moment, “How are you?” won the election.

Lots of people believe — apparently, a majority of Americans — that they are worse off now economically under the Democrats than they were during President – Elect Trump’s first term in office.

Those whose candidate won have big feelings of jubilation and vindication.

This, of course leaves others who did not vote for that party with big feelings following the big election. Many have big feelings of disappointment, anger and worries about their personal future and that of America.

However the credit taking for the overwhelming success of the Republicans’ wins and the blaming, with the concurrent deep dive into why the Democrats’ vision for America, in most cases, was so completely rejected at the polls will be parsed for some time to come.

Won or lost, the question remains – How are you?

Are you feeling euphoric over your candidate’s decisive win?

Are your economic, political and family related concerns finally seen by the former and future President and his party?

President-Elect Trump’s campaign highlighted the Biden economy, which worked on inflation but with results that have not appeared quickly enough for enough Americans’ to feel relief.

The President-Elect promises that Americans will again enjoy:

~ a vigorous economy,

~ lower taxes,

~ stronger borders enabled by the deportation of large numbers of undocumented immigrants; and,

~ an “America first” stance on the world stage in the sense that the US will withdraw support for foreign wars and endeavor to have a smaller government during his term.

President-Elect Trump promises that all Americans will be able to:

~ fearlessly purchase every day items like groceries, gas or a hot bev from your fav barista;

~ confidently know that you have enough money saved and available to pay for unforeseen expenses, for example, with your teens or your parents, emergency car or home repairs or a “once in a lifetime” Hot-Talent-of-the-Moment Concert: whichever comes first;

~ to be in control of America’s borders;

~ to fully participate in your version of The American Dream; and,

~ to not overextend American military strength in foreign wars, especially where an end to the hostilities is not immediately apparent or accessible.

As of this writing slightly over 50% of tallied popular votes, 76, 568, 621,
were cast for President-Elect Trump’s vision and version of America.
He also crushed it in the Electoral College.
The President-Elect has 312 electoral votes to VP Harris’s 226:
270 electoral college votes are required.

The Associated Press

However, at the same time other Americans just as passionately believe that their concerns are being overlooked.

Americans remember that as President Biden’s presidency began:

~racial unrest became politicized which both further divided the American people and fueled protests across the world;

~the world continued to convulse in the vice of the deadly COVID-19 pandemic, however;

~there was on the one hand widespread relief and on the other hand widespread pushback when the COVID-19 vaccine became available in the US in December 2020;

~uncharacteristically America “the most prepared country in the world” was not at the forefront of the worldwide COVID-19 response;

~Washington DC in Jan 2021, due to a violent and destructive insurrection attempt mere days prior, was ringed by the National Guard in order to ensure a peaceful transfer of power at the Presidential Inauguration;

~the pain to purchase many, many basic goods and services. I remember, as an example, the high cost of both eggs and lumber;

America has spoken

But what have we said? What does it mean?

At the very least, political pundits say, America has shifted right or conservative. Even places that are reliably “blue” like my state of New York were more ‘red’ than in past elections. Something has shifted and it has meaning for all of us.

But salt and light are made for fractious times full of big feelings.

Please consider these lines from a famous sermon preached by Jesus to his disciples.

Matthew 5:13-16 ESV (English Standard Version)

¹³ “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

¹⁴ “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden. ¹⁵ Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the house. ¹⁶ In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.

What is Jesus saying to his followers? What does he mean?

If you are a Christian whether you voted Republican or Democrat you and I have an opportunity and an obligation to show the love and power of Christ in this our questioning and quaking society.

Quell the queries? Never! Let’s embrace the shift in our society by “sowing” salt.

If it is said or believed that one has put “salt in a wound” it is to convey that a difficult situation has been made more painful by interference.

However, Dr. Google says that a sterile saline solution i.e. water that has been purified with the right amount of salt or sodium dissolved in it, can be used to clean and to promote healing in a wound.

(Please note: do NOT put or pour salt directly onto a wound. Always follow your physicians directives, not mine regarding medical care. I am a counselor not a medical doctor.)

My dear Christian sibling who is also a Republican, and my faithful Christian leader who is also a Democrat, would you consider reclaiming salt as your identity?

You and I are salt. From a national perspective we can preserve our fragile country by healing the deep divisions. If you are a Christian, then, preserver, healer — salt — is part of your true identity.

You voted for a particular political party’s platform in a particular election. BUT salt is who you are.

Jesus powerfully goes on to say that the Christian is light in a dark world.

The truest light that non-Christians see in our lives is HOW we live in this world. Do we act in compassionate, caring and yet boldly loving ways?

When we do and to the degree that we do, we also bring glory to God. We show some measure of God’s beauty and perfection in an increasingly dark world.

This is not to promote pollyanna-like, naive notions that ignore the grave issues which preoccupy Americans.

The economy, pathways to opportunities for all, immigration, America’s place in the world and other concerns are entrenched, complex issues preoccupying the thoughts and clouding the aspirations of many

However, engaging these matters on the family, city, state, or national level can be accomplished with humility, and curiosity about the journey especially of those of different political ideologies and family backgrounds.

Let us let the world around us see us seeing the world around us. Let’s show up to work as lit up Christians.

Let us show up in our lives in loving, lit up ways, caring for enemies, not mocking them.

Let us have and show charity or kindness and goodness toward all, and, as has been famously said, let us have “malice toward none.”

The Washington Post reported a story. I confess that I hear notes of what appear to be malice in the recently announced Congressional resolution to ban transgender women from female bathrooms in the Capitol.

This is just weeks ahead of the swearing in of the first openly transgender person to be elected to Congress.

That’s right. An opening salvo of undue scrutiny of a freshmen lawmaker, who, because of the way she lives in the world is being singled out for a kind of scrutiny that seems especially cruel.

Yes, it was resounding victory for the Republicans and a thorough thumping for the Dems. But there are bound to be missteps, failures and just humanities ever present slip will show from time to time.

Surely this is one of those, to say it most charitably, “missteps.”

There has to be a better, more humane solution than to keep 1 lawmaker away from the bathrooms. I mean, seriously, what is she supposed to do?

To be clear, I too feel uneasy about persons who are biologically male using the women’s bathroom. To put it baldly, I just don’t like it.

I avoid the unisex bathroom at my job choosing the all women’s bathroom every time. TMI – I know. Sorry.

At the same time, however, notwithstanding my and the Congresswoman’s misgivings around this issue, there has to be another way of being kind and considerate to all.

Surely the plan as outlined is not the way?

Surely not putting the Congressional leader on notice juuust before she takes office: one person out of over 400 called out in the public square over an inherently and intensely private matter. Brutally unfair!

While on the one hand I believe that I understand the Congresswoman’s stated concerns, I also say that the Congresswoman from South Carolina is not shining a just, a respectful, a welcoming, a dignified light on the incoming and duly elected lawmaker.

Again – How are you?

The better question may be WHO are you? If you are a Christian then you are salt and light.

Let us endeavor to act like salt and light everyday. There will be plenty of opportunities in the months ahead in need of a healing, and a loving, and a compassionate light.

In those moments some will bring the heat. Others will bring the spice. Will you bring the salt and light?

Watch for the Light!

xoxoKimberly