I must admit I enjoy a good discussion as much as anyone. I love the honest and frank exchange of ideas. However, I do not enjoy what I see on FaceBook and elsewhere where such discussions quickly sink to personal attacks and dishonest misrepresentations of the truth. Not long ago I was in a discussion regarding “Black lives matter.” And, for the record, yes they do – but I went on to say “as do all lives.” After all we are made in the image of God and as Christians should have a high regard for life and all that bears God’s image. The response was to accuse me of racial insensitivity and it went south from there.

As we enter a political season (and I wish we would enact campaign reform to limit the length of time and the amount of money that can be spent on such) let’s try and remember to let “our speech be always with grace.” I believe anyone crazy enough to run for higher office has the best interests of our country in mind. We may have very different ideas as to how best get there (and that is a healthy conversation), but if we remember that simple proposition it enables us to listen and hear those with differing ideas.

Let’s commit ourselves to civility and grace filled conversations to build each other up rather than tear each other down.