CHOOSE LOVE
by Rev. Dr. John Dorhauer
I have six siblings. We are very close. We have each other on a text thread, and we are in touch with each other every day.
We share news about our children and grandchildren.
We share news about our health. Two of my siblings give almost daily reports on their battles with cancer.
We talk about our favorite baseball team, the St. Louis Cardinals.
You know what we don’t do – well, not anymore.
We used to. We don’t talk about politics.
For the first time in our lives, we are unable to discuss politics without fast reaching a point where we are very angry with each other.
This may be the most important election any of us have ever participated in. It is certainly among the most divisive. Families, co-workers, church members are struggling to maintain good relationships in the presence of divisions that get sharper and sharper each day.
My family decided our relationships with one another are more important than our political opinions. We didn’t decide our opinions don’t matter or that they are not important at all. We just decided they weren’t worth losing people we love because of the differences.
I know how every one of my siblings is going to vote. And at least three of them will choose a different president that I would. Nothing they say will change my mind about that. Nothing I say will change their mind about that.
We chose love for each other over anger at each other.
I pray that during this election cycle, you are able to choose love.
I pray that the love you know and the love you share clarifies for you whom you should support in the important races on your ballot.
I also pray that love remains the hallmark of the relationships in your life that matter.
Please vote.
Please love.
And may love win – in both the election and your life. – Rev. John Dorhauer
The Rev. Dr. John C. Dorhauer is an American Protestant clergy member, author, and theologian. He currently serves as the General Minister and President of the United Church of Christ, and is Chair of the National Council of Churches.
