It’s the aftermath of the election, what some say is the most important one of your lifetime. You might either be elated, or depressed, or somewhere in between. Everyone is talking or commenting about it.

We’ve seen things happen. People I’ve trusted, institutions I’ve trusted, Christians I’ve trusted — I’m not so sure anymore where I stand, where they stand.

Probably many who just want to leave it all behind and go back to ordinary things — watching sports with friends, gossiping at work, chatting at school, Friday night outs. How I long for the old days! — but that has been a thing of the past for a long while now.

Things I took for granted — health, time with family, free and clean air, affordable cost of living, minimal things that cause anxiety, the simple truth — seem a rarity now.

BUT we are alive for such a time as this. You are here for a purpose . . . you matter.

You matter to me. I won’t look for the things that make us different, but areas where we agree. I won’t argue about the trivial things but stand strong on my principles. I won’t compromise what I say or what I believe to win your approval but stay true to myself. I’ll be honest with you and tell you what I really think, even if the ultimate risk is losing you. (Those last two are really hard).

Because if I did any different, I’d be lying — lying to you, and lying to myself. And I love and respect you too much to be dishonest with you.

Where do we go from here? How do we heal? Look beyond what they are telling you — watch, look, listen. It might seem like there is no way out — but there is. The situation might look hopeless, but there might be a door or a hidden passageway that you’ve overlooked. And look up. Look around. Friends are found in unlikely places.

Extend grace. Be forgiving. Because you’ll need that from others as well. That is how we heal. That is how we move on. It is a power that the world knows nothing about.