I am thinking about Election Day and celebrating that it is finally over even though the decision may or may not be decided by now, or in weeks after or even in months after that. But the reason I am celebrating it, is that it is my hope that as it passes, so will the mean-spiritedness that has come with it. After all, 1 John says that we should be called children of God. That is a heavy and heavenly load.

For at least the last few months, I have regularly been wearing my shirt with a peace sign and the words “We got this” on it. I’ve also been wearing my peace sign earrings and necklace. Maybe like Johnny Cash wearing black to remember the suffering of the poor and downtrodden, I am reminding myself and others that we are called by God to be peacemakers.

This scripture says as children of God, we are the reflection of God. I have seen so many Christians during this political campaign say some of the ugliest things and taken some of the ugliest (and violent) acts just because someone does not believe as they do. And lest I sound too high and mighty, I have heard myself say things that I immediately regret and need to apologize for (and usually do) simply because I am hearing something that I can’t believe someone would think and feel. Most of the time it is to the television since I’m not going out much, so I’m usually just apologizing to my husband.

I would challenge us all to look in the mirror every morning and, as reflections of God in this world, to live and respond in kindness and love to others. That heavenly load we bear as a child of God, should be a blessing not a curse. It should genuinely be felt and not simply be lip service. With the help of God, may it be so.