The morning after the election
by Jill Sheeler-Shenk, Scottsdale, Ariz.
I am emotional today. Tears are streaming down my face. I cannot—nor do I want to—stop them. I went to the piano as if moved by a gentle, invisible hand and accompanied myself as I sang, “O Healing River” with a passion I haven’t felt in a long time. As I sang, I remembered something my husband, Doug, told me last night, and my voice trembled as I pictured him at 6 years old in Atlanta, the lone white face in a sea of brown as he sang with his first grade class "We shall overcome someday."
Several hours later I’m in a more reflective state. I am joyful and hopeful that a kinder, more collaborative America is being born. That an impressive leap forward has been made in the healing of the wounds of oppression and injustice inflicted on a group of people in our nation’s history. Yet I’m also soberly aware that many impediments to peace and understanding remain, and serious challenges face the next administration.
There are prominent voices that prefer division to unity, that excel in spreading deception and instilling fear, and these voices have a large audience. There are other voices that are gloating and dismissive, reserving their compassion for those they deem worthy. Then there’s my own voice, which has at times added to the scorn and cynicism for which I feel ashamed.
I know that millions of my brothers and sisters are disappointed in the results of the election and are fearful of an Obama administration, and many of them are fellow Christians. I want to reach out to them and do my part to further understanding and bridge building. I want to listen to their concerns. I want to join them in prayer for our elected officials and the world. I want to atone for the times when I’ve fallen short and torn another down, and remain alert to the temptation to do it again.
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