The Key to Post-Election Divisions

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Editor's note: Greg penned this as the counting of ballots continued for the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election (due primarily to handle mail-in ballots in many states, used to cope with concerns for voter safety because of the COVID-19 pandemic).

Election Day has come and gone.
And yet divisions linger on.
There is an aftertaste of sorts
that's bitter on our tongues.

We voiced our values, spoke our minds,
but in the process we were blind
to seeing those with different views
as worthy of our love.

We're still at odds. Our hate's still strong.
And though we think we're right, we're wrong
to treat another with disgrace
and take the lower road.

The issues are complex and deep.
The learning curve is long and steep.
But understanding is the key
that unlocks common dreams.

Black lives do matter. But there are more…
Those wrongly jailed. The working poor.
Aborted babies. Homeless teens.
Those hooked on opioids.

A COVID patient's dying prayer
to have a family member there.
An honest cop whose hands are tied
from doing what he should.  

When Christians try to share their faith,
they're judged intolerant. But wait!
The First Amendment makes quite clear
they have the right to speak.

And Muslims who desire peace
(who pray that terrorism cease)
are often painted with a brush
reserved for those at war.

Lord, help us find some common ground
where seeds of friendship might be found
that we could irrigate with hope
and fertilize with trust.