As we enter into this new year, it appears that we will be dealing with many entities we have not known before now. Since we have not experienced these things before, I for one, feel trepidation, anxiety, and a certain hesitation at how we will move forward in these next years. It feels as though much that I consider to be good could soon be undone.
I hope I will be pleasantly surprised…but if I am not, I need to make the following assessment. What is most important to me? What do I not want to lose? What do I value? How do I measure that value? We here in America have been blessed with wealth (as compared with other countries), a reasonable amount of security, the freedom to say what we think, the freedom to worship as we choose. From recent rhetoric we have heard, one has to wonder if those things will be threatened in the years to come? There is no other country that I especially want to live in. But I want those things that I have come to take for granted. Certainly, there will always be differences between Republicans, Democrats, and members of other smaller parties. Nevertheless, basic assumptions have been made by all parties about how we choose to live in this country. I, for one, feel that those basic qualities our country has struggled so long to maintain now hang in the balance.
Americans, I implore you to take a very close look at your values, your hopes, your dreams – for yourself and for generations to come. If, after serious soul searching, introspectively determining that which you alone treasure, I urge you to stand up for those beliefs. Be strong, be either proud or dismayed with your country, but be firm. Move forward prayerfully in this New Year of 2017, in peace and with resolve, with confidence, and with hope.
The Prisoner's Prayer Book 