{"id":11334,"date":"2021-01-20T06:42:30","date_gmt":"2021-01-20T11:42:30","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=11334"},"modified":"2021-01-20T06:42:35","modified_gmt":"2021-01-20T11:42:35","slug":"dear-joe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/intramuralist.com\/?p=11334","title":{"rendered":"dear Joe"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Dear Joe,<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Congratulations, Joe, on being elected the 46th President of the United States of America. I know the fanfare of the congratulations is tempered by the sobering responsibility before you, as it\u2019s hard to fathom the enormity of the task. You\u2019ve been tapped to be the Chief Executive of our Federal Government and the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces. There are over 326 million of us living here. You\u2019ve been charged to lead us. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I write to you this day as a mere one of those millions. I write to you not as a Democrat, Republican, or even independent. I write to you also not as one who voted for you or did not. It does not matter; you are still my President. I write to you as one you\u2019ve been humbly charged to lead.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Excuse me for a moment \u2014 I suppose I should have asked first: \u201cIs it ok to call you \u2018Joe\u2019?\u201d I don\u2019t remember any presidents in my lifetime who went primarily by their first name. 43 was often referred to by his middle initial; the last two presidents were called all sorts of names; and well, maybe Pres. Reagan, although \u201cRonnie\u201d always seemed like something reserved solely for his beloved Nancy.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

So allow me to share a few short statements\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One, I\u2019m rooting for you. Two, I\u2019m praying for you. And three, I won\u2019t always agree with you, but that\u2019s ok. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I root for you because if you succeed, we succeed. Your success will be tied to the oath you take this day, solemnly swearing to the best of your ability, to “preserve, protect and defend the Constitution of the United States.\u201d As you attempt to faithfully execute that oath, as a country we are again reminded as to what you are actually affirming \u2014 the prioritizing of unity, justice, liberty, and more. Not just for some. Not just for the majority, minority nor the marginalized. Not for a singular party. For all lives. They matter.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I pray for you because let\u2019s face it: this is hard work. In addition to the solemnity of your oath, you will face additional obstacles. Some will be expected; some will not. Some will come from the opposing political party; some will come from within your own. Voices will attempt to sway you in ways inconsistent with your oath \u2014 as if unity, justice, etc. are not necessary for all. I am encouraged, therefore, by your recent pledge, vowing to unite us\u2026 \u201cI pledge to be a president who does not seek to divide, but unify, who doesn\u2019t see red states and blue states, but only sees the United States,\u201d you promised. No doubt that won\u2019t be easy; we\u2019re a weary people. We\u2019ve justified judgment and partisanship. We\u2019ve fallen prey to decades of labeling those we disagree with \u2014 making snap, incomplete assessments as if we know the entirety of a whole people group\u2019s heart. When we label, no doubt, we dehumanize. And unity cannot be found amidst dehumanization. This won\u2019t be easy, Joe. And I know you know that. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, you have long said, your Christian faith has been the \u201cbedrock foundation\u201d of your life. It has been \u201ca constant reminder of the fundamental dignity and humanity that God has bestowed upon all of us.\u201d I appreciate how you thus see all people created in God\u2019s image. I think we forget that some days, believing that some were somehow not privy to such masterful crafting. Oh, how that truthful awareness would change how we see others\u2026 how we treat them, too. Hence, I will pray for your divine strength and discernment. You\u2019ll need that; we all do, as self-reliance is perhaps one of humankind\u2019s most enticing, accepted sins.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

And lastly, I won\u2019t always agree with you, but that\u2019s ok. It seems in this country, we\u2019ve made a major mistake here. We\u2019ve fabricated this idea that we must agree, and if we don\u2019t, \u201c<\/em>you<\/em><\/strong> are <\/em>bad<\/em><\/strong>.\u201d With all your years in the Senate \u2014 evidenced by your enduring friendships with Senators McConnell and McCain, for example \u2014 I know you know this; it doesn\u2019t make sense. I have yet to find a person (just ask my spouse) that I agree with 100% of the time. But we simply seem to have lost the art of vocalizing disagreement respectfully. We\u2019ve reframed the argument to suggest that disagreement equates to a gross violation of virtue (\u2026 because when it\u2019s about virtue, we don\u2019t have to even <\/em>entertain<\/em><\/strong> the idea of respectful, constructive dialogue). We thus are limiting ourselves in finding the best solutions, dismissing what another\u2019s differences bring to the table. Unfortunately, Democrats and Republicans alike have led us poorly here. We need help.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

My wish for you, no less, is that your tenure will be marked by humility, integrity and God-honoring respect and compassion for all humankind. May your tenure resist the lures of partiality, partisanship and self-promotion. And may you lead wisely and well, remembering who and Whom you serve.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks, Joe. Thanks for letting us call you that, too.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Respectfully\u2026<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

AR<\/em>
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Dear Joe, Congratulations, Joe, on being elected the 46th President of the United States of America. I know the fanfare of the congratulations is tempered by the sobering responsibility before you, as it\u2019s hard to fathom the enormity of the task. You\u2019ve been tapped to be the Chief Executive of our Federal Government and the … <\/p>\n

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