Post-Valentine's Day thoughts

Decided I would take time today to update my blog with some new pictures and revisions on my bio.  I hope if you stop here occasionally you will take time to look at the photos as well.  I take my camera with me wherever I go so I get some little snaps here and there of my country and the good folks who inhabit it.
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It is barely a month since the presidential inauguration in Washington, D.C., and I find it difficult to remember a recent time when Trump, his advisers, and family have not been in the news.  I really wonder what the journalists would find to talk about anymore if not for some aspect of the Trump presidency.  Of course they are in the business of news, which I understand, and when I can find an impartial newscast I am pleased although the way many groups have been alienated by this administration already it is hard to find "impartial".  With news from North Korea, China, Australia, Israel, Russia and Mexico and the confusion among the cabinet and Trump advisors, I find it hard to believe much of anything important is getting done in Washington.  I read a letter to the editor the other day that blamed everything on the Democrats and liberals causing problems for Trump.  I am inclined to think President Truman's line "if you can't stand the heat, then get out of the kitchen", may be appropriate to this situation.  The government is not a business and perhaps the President and his advisors haven't quite figured that out yet.  One hopes they have a quick learning curve and can get the country back to some semblance of order again.
The slogan of the Republican campaign was "Make America great again".  Personally I don't think any one person can make something "great".  Especially for a country of living, breathing people, we have to know that within us.  It isn't economics or military power, but rather it is mercy and compassion, that is how we deal with immigrants and refugees, the relationships we have with countries, the way we care for our own people in need.  America is great.  I see it all around me.  We are building on a foundation that was laid long ago.  Certainly a few bricks are knocked out of the foundation on occasion, but they are soon repaired as people come together to help each other.
We are in a sad state of affairs right now.  I truly do hope there is a light at the end of this tunnel.
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Had a long, lovely visit with a dear friend today.  We touched on Valentines, families, heart-ache, joy, God's peace and grace and we laughed, that special laughter that people who love each other laugh.  There were tears, but more of peace and joy, than pain.  There was a depth to the conversation that is often not found in our light banter we so often practice.  Life really is about loving each other and caring and just being there.  A recent sermon I wrote talked about Jesus compassion for the widow of Nain when her son died.  A commentary said the Greek word for "compassion" has roots with the word "intestines", which seems a little odd, but the translation is that Jesus had a gut-wrenching compassion for the woman.  Thus Jesus' caring was more than emotional, it was physical as well.  And He loves us with that kind of compassion.  Thanks be to God.