The evening in New York was a memory keeper. We were filled with great food, music, and conversation. The music had lifted us into places we did not anticipate. As we laughed, listened, and wondered aloud about the important things in each of our lives, I could feel Hope’s embrace. It was an evening of wonderful surprises.
As we ventured home, our conversation drifted to the headlines of the day. In a strange turn, the free flowing conversation turned quickly into a verbal battle filled with painful weapons. I had no idea where or why the conversation changed. The stakes in our debate was high. Even as we agreed on the need for change, our ideas of what change represents were different.
At some point, our jousting turned into questions as to how we got here. One did not want to let go of the battle because it was important. Another could not understand how one side could be blind to the other. A third wondered what happened to civil dialogue.
The last point hit me hard. Whatever my cause, the implied accusation was true. I was a character out of an old play. The quote then applied to me now. “This is conduct unworthy of Artemis. These men you’ve dragged in here have done nothing to harm either our temple or our goddess.” (Acts 19.37) Whatever our views were, we had not given each other our respect in disagreement. In contrast to our ideals, we had become what each of us disliked in the other.
I wish I could tell you that a cloud of enlightenment settled on us and we turned our battle into a dialogue. In reality, everyone was tired. While the intensity of the anger faded, we lost part of our cup of Hope. I wish I had the wisdom and patience to give to others what I value. On that night, I kept it to myself. I fell asleep wondering about the possibilities. What might happen if we were to put down our arms because it is important? I still wonder.
