A house divided...

....against itself cannot stand.

This isn't going to be a fun post.  It may very likely be a dissertation, but I don't anticipate that it will be fun or light-hearted or even easy for some to read.  But since it is the nature of a blog to often be self serving in  that voyeuristic journal sort of way that we've come to know and love about the world of blogging, I am using this means as a way to express some things on my heart and mind tonight. 

While I may not be pleased with yesterday's election results on many counts, that is not my focus.  My focus is on what struck me most as I was glued to the TV like so many millions of others last night.  If anything was clear from last night it was this: we are divided as a nation - perhaps unlike any other time in our history other than prior to the South's cessation from the United States and the ensuing war.  So many of the races, from president to congress, were very close, with candidates winning by small margins.  And given the disparity of idealogies between opposite parties and candidates, one is inclined to conclude that we are split just about right down the middle on what the role of a congressman or a president or even the government is supposed to be. 

It would appear that half believe it is government's job to create infrastructure that supports a free market but stays out of the way as much as possible; to build up a nation's defense in that "speak softly and carry a big stick" sort of way; to create a budget and then live within its means.  It has been a generation give or take since we've seen a government like that, but there are those who desire that.

It would appear that half believe it is government's job to tax the "rich," redistribute that wealth to the "poor" and make sure everyone has been provided for with food, shelter and healthcare; to regulate business and industry against any and every contingency and safety hazard; to negotiate with all countries regardless of their bent to the use of force instead of talking; to bail out failed businesses and banks.  This is the way of government for much of the last 25 years, regardless of which party is in power, and there are those who desire this to be the case.

But we can't have it both ways.  These ideals are generally diametrically opposed.  So much so that rarely can we have a true exchange of ideas any more, much less a consensus of what constitutes a "win" for everyone. 

And that, my friends, equates to a house divided.  And as Lincoln and Jesus have both wisely stated in the past, "A house divided against itself cannot stand."  Whether that is a house divided on how to spend or save money, or a house divided on how to raise the kids, or a house divided on what faithfulness and fidelity mean, or a house divided on how we should govern ourselves, it cannot stand.

Especially if that house is spending more than it is making.  Then that becomes not only a house divided but one that is built of cards.  For living on debt is never a sustainable model in any forum - home, school, church, business, government. 

As a woman who has been through a divorce, I have some first-hand experience with a divided house and its inability to stand.  And it is disheartening to see similar divides in this country that most of us love.  I am not able to talk about these things with many people because I don't want to create walls.  I am much more interested in building bridges.  So it is my hope that this post doesn't create a wall or cause me to be de-friended virtually or in real life, but I fear it may. 

I am open to a reasonable exchange of ideas that doesn't deteriorate into a bumper sticker like, sound-bite sort of finger pointing or name calling waste of time.  But those kinds of discussions are rare these days and better done face-to-face over a cup of your favorite beverage than over blog or FB.  Being me, I would even throw in a pastry to share in hopes we really would start and end that conversation as friends.

So yea...I know this isn't a fun post.  No pics.  No food.  No stories of people I love and name with initials. Not even a word of hope or change sprinkled in.  Instead I seem to be pointing to houses falling or crashing and no longer sustaining themselves into the future.  I could end with some sort of cheesy "can't we all get along" type statement, but that isn't me.  I don't sing fake kum-bah-ya very well. 

But perhaps I can end with this idea, and it will be seen as hopeful.  No matter what happens in this country in the coming days, weeks, months and years, if we do survive for decades more even, I can take comfort in trusting that my hope is not dependent upon a government (city, state, federal, international) but is instead dependent upon the Source of Love, the Source of Hope, the Source of Authority, the Source of Faith.  In Him do I trust and can work to mend and redeem division.

Thanks for reading if you've made it this far.  It's just a glimpse into Deb's heart....