I’ve been praying that someone of notoriety no matter whom they voted for would courageously emerge to announce that we, as a country, must unite behind our new leadership in Washington. That those elected and currently nominated must be given a chance to use their collective experiences to move this nation out of its divisiveness. After all, every human being is flawed, yet we can each be used in miraculous ways given the opportunity.
I was hoping that person of notoriety would encourage us to pray for our leaders every day for safety, wisdom, and direction from above, as was requested and afforded to our nation’s leaders since George Washington. I was in hopes that THAT someone would have been our current President, but that hope has faded in his waning days as President.
Then I had hoped the famed actress Meryl Streep would have spoken up with a unifying message to not only her peers at the recent Golden Globes but to those that admire her life achievements as well. But no, she spoke words that tore the curtain even further apart.
Then there was Nicole Kidman, who bravely spoke out about the need to move on but backed off of that statement when pressure began to pour in from her peers and the media. And now we have entertainers who once accepted the invitation to perform at the Inauguration who have bowed out, legislators who refuse to attend, and protestors nearing one million in D.C. alone. All of these actions are contagious and are spreading rapidly throughout this nation. Fear of the unknown erupts like wildfire causing increased anxiety, violence, hate and disruption like never before.
So who is that person of notoriety willing to step out in faith and speak up for an end to this craziness?
I will! But notoriety I have not. I am a daughter, a sister, a wife, a mother, an aunt, a daughter-in-law, a sister-in-law, a mother-in-law, and a grandmother. I am a retired person, a nurse, a teacher, a volunteer, an author, a blogger, a social media participant, just another commoner in America.
Yet I am of the opinion that if each individual will recede into their innermost being, into their heart and speak of love for one another one person at a time across this nation, the fix is within reach. It’s to follow a simple command found in the Bible to “Love one another” (John 13:34). The words of that same command are found in Bibles used by each of our President’s to swear the oath of office during their inauguration. It’s found in Bibles used by many other public officials to swear in to their positions. Just three simple words. Love….one…..another!
Yes, I believe in God, one Nation Under God. Indivisible. And I believe that only by carrying out the words of Jesus Christ himself can we begin to unite this country. “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.” (John 13:34-35).
By the way, the shortest verse in the Bible is “Jesus wept” (John 11:35). I envision Him that way today over the state of America. Let’s all begin to heal our nation, one person at a time, one prayer at a time.
And then, may God smile down on us and Bless America again!
Janet E. Golden, January 17, 2017
