Last week, the US Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.
My heart has been increasingly heavy as I've watched social media and the news since the decision. The stark division in this country feels appalling and devastating to me. Inflammatory misinformation is running rampant worldwide, and people everywhere are up in arms against each other.
I have friends and acquaintances across the globe. Some are from the LGBTQ+ community, some are straight. Some are pro-choice, others are pro-life. They are conservative and liberal, rich and poor, fat & thin, tall & short, male, female, and other. Some have special needs. Some are professionals. Some are entrepreneurs. I've done life with single parents and people who have no children. I know homeschoolers, private schoolers, and public schoolers. My friends span cultures, skin tones, and belief systems.
This week, I am grieving as I watch people all around me eviscerate each other because they disagree. How can we allow such discord? Why are we so unable to live in harmony? Are we really so threatened by anyone who disagrees with us? We lump anyone and everyone who holds different beliefs into this huge pot of "WRONG" and just stir it up without a second of thought. We take up flimsy excuses for our hate and blanket our opponents and congratulate ourselves for sounding so right and righteous.
Look, I know that this decision feels crucial. I understand that people are worried about the court overturning other laws that they cherish. What I don't understand is why we can't be civil and respectful. Why can't we have compassion and hold space for one another?
Pro-choice supporter: you've felt the elation of a ruling in your favour.
Pro-lifer: you know what it's like to grieve and and grapple with fear over governmental decisions.
Do to others as you would have done to you. Walk a mile in the other person's shoes. Think of others before yourself. Please...seek peace in this broken world.