Two sides of the aisle....

Weddings are a beautiful thing.  I always find it funny that we are asked which side we wish to sit on.  We choose, not in opposition, but instead through comfort and relationship, a side in anticipation of the celebration of the bride and groom walking, hand in hand, down the aisle, joined as one....potentially to celebrate their lifelong union....but maybe just to get to the cocktail hour!!

It has been a week!!  If we have learned one thing in America this week is that we have some differences.  We sit on opposite sides of the aisle.  Shouldn't we be in anticipation of the times the two sides can come together, walk down the aisle, and head to the party??   We don't have a chance if we let fear and hate burn the church down and take everyone inside down with it.  Our hateful rhetoric and fearful actions are burning the church down.  

The stone cold reality is.....there will ALWAYS be two sides of the aisle.  We sat on opposite sides as the wedding began, but we came with the goal to watch the two become a stronger, better one.  I am not interested which side you sat on when you arrived, but instead how you will act at the cocktail party after.  True leadership is about EMBRACING our differences, ENGAGING our differences, and EXPLORING solutions.  We must lay down our weapons of words, and pick up the power of the human spirit, inviting EVERYONE to the cocktail party...even that strange uncle who came to the wedding without an invitation.  

My hope for our leaders and our citizens is that we are bold enough, strong enough, wise enough, and selfless enough to leave some things in the car before we come in the ceremony, so that everyone can focus on the MOST important thing.....the union of two strong, different, and capable people to begin a new...not perfect...but wonderful adventure together.  We have many weddings ahead of us.  In each case, let's work to get to the cocktail party...and maybe even the dance floor to celebrate the best in all of us.    

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