This morning as I was getting ready to begin my day I was listening to the radio. A particular report caught my attention. The newscaster was reporting that a new advertisement was beginning today for one of the many politicians running for office. The news about this ad was that it was to be a specifically negative message directed at an opponent of the person who was unveiling the ad. I stopped my mid morning routine to listen to this report which, I guess, was telling me to ‘stay tuned ‘ for this new attack on someone’s character and message.

I have to admit it gave my morning a rocky start. Instead of reveling in the crisp,cool air that arrived over night, I was thinking about what has become of us. When did we become a people who actually say” Hey! Watch and listen for these new rotten things I am going to say about someone!” This thought led me to think about the enormous amounts of money being spent on these words and phrases that often have very little basis in fact or truth. The morning kept getting worse the more I allowed myself to ruminate on it all.

It was probably pure grace that turned me around. I began to think of all the people I know who are not making news, people who are doing wonderful work. People who get up every day and rarely speak a harsh word about anyone. I thought of the advertisement I might write about all the wonderful parents I speak to on a regular basis. I am privileged to listen to their stories about raising their children, the challenges they face, the joy and laughter their children bring to their lives. “Follow these people.”, I’d want to say. “Let them lead us all into a better future.”

With great regularity I find myself visiting people who are in hospital. Could I ever create a fabulous message about those who work in all the areas of these health care facilities! “Come experience compassion and deep listening. Allow these people to tend to your hurt, your pain, your illness.” From doctors to nurses to those who change beds and those who serve meals, I have rarely, if ever, heard any of them say a mean word to anyone. Even when they are treated poorly by a frightened or frustrated patient or family member. Why can’t we tell that story, send out that message on the radio?

Every Sunday I am blessed by a community of people who sing, pray, laugh and cry together. We call it worship. Though we may come from a variety of backgrounds-economic, social, ethnic, educational- there is never a mean spiritedness in the behavior or words of these people. Though they may not share the same political platform they share a pursuit of the common decency and an effort toward kindness. “Come hang out with some really nice people!” I want to say. ” No one will try to attack your character or your faith.”

As you can tell from these words, the radio report from this morning has stuck with me. But instead of bowing to the hard-edged words that seem to have become our food these days, my head and heart have turned instead to all the people getting up every day and trying their best to be decent and kind. I feel blessed to know so many of them, to come into contact with so many of them. They lift my spirits and help bring perspective to these times.

In a few months things will be different and we will not be exposed to so much harshness. But in the meantime, I am telling the stories from the underbelly, those not infused with money or hate or things our mothers taught us not to say about other people.

And for the record, I approve this message.