“When to give grace? I’d rather stand before God knowing I loved others too much, than regretting I judged too harshly.” – Lysa Terkeurst
I live in America. The past ten years America has been divided, perhaps the most division since the Civil War. Neighbors turn on neighbors, family members are shunned, friends stop speaking, because of a difference of political ideologies. It can be argued that some of these ideologies are also differences in morals and principles. But the results are the same. We tear at the fabric of family and community.
But here’s something we need to remember: We are not all one thing.
I identify as a liberal. I’m definitely on the left side of the aisle. I also identify as spiritual, so I challenge myself daily to practice forgiveness, love, and grace. It’s not always easy, but when I call on grace, my eyes open in new ways.
I have beloved family members who are conservative. When I hear people say things like, “Anyone who voted for him should be shot” “Anyone who supports this administration is an idiot,” it profoundly hurts. Because I know these people. And they are not all one thing.
These people are not idiots. They are productive members of their community. They love their children and sacrifice for them. They are amazing, involved parents. They would run into a burning building to pull me out. They are funny and loving people. They gladden my heart when I see them.
Do I agree with their political choices? No. Do I like what I see this administration doing? Definitely not! But knowing these men and women, I cannot lump all conservatives into one miasma of ideology, one target of frustration and hate.
I must offer grace. And hope to receive grace in return.
“God simply keeps reaching down into the dirt of humanity and resurrecting us from the graves we dig for ourselves through our violence, our lies, our selfishness, our arrogance, and our addictions. And God keeps loving us back to life over and over.”- Nadia Bolz-Weber
God gives us grace over and over again. And we don’t have to do anything to receive it! We are all flawed and bend toward judgment and hate, but God keeps offering us grace. It is a holy gift, and we need to be more in touch with that gift. The more we notice and acknowledge it ourselves, the more we can offer it to others.
Look, the government is not going to do anything to heal our division, to open us up to the possibility that we are more alike than different. It has to come from us, from our hearts. We have to seek connection, plant those seeds and water them. I’m a writer, so I love solitude and I’m also basically shy, but this year I’ve made a solid effort to talk to everyone, smile at everyone, be kind to strangers, and it’s been so rewarding! People respond and we share a moment of connection that is beautiful! We as a people are hungering for human interaction! In person, not on a device!
Can we try to move forward not adding to the division, but trying to heal it? Can we remember that we are not all one thing? We are complex beings, making decisions out of a strange brew of life experiences, trauma, and too much information at our disposal. When we rise out of that, and truly look at another human, is it possible to offer them just a little grace?
I don’t have any answers, and I’m sure some will disagree with me, but I don’t see a way out of this that involves more hate and division. Not to say we shouldn’t get out and protest on behalf of those who have no voice, or to resist inhumane practices. But, if we want change, we have to come from a place of love, and grace, and understanding.
“To finally surrender ourselves to healing, we have to have three spaces opened up within us – and all at the same time: our opinionated head, our closed-down heart, and our defensive and defended body.” – Richard Rohr
Victoria McGee
July 26 2025
Victoria McGee, M.A. 