Before we are anything else, we are Americans

Occasionally, I crave a Wendy’s burger – a single, no onion, but everything else. During my career, when I was in a hurry, I drove through Wendy’s or Chick-fil-A and ate in the parking lot before heading to another appointment. Fast, affordable, and delicious.

The other day, my craving got the best of me. I talked my husband into a Wendy’s with no onion. David doesn’t like crumbs in his car, so we went inside.

When the nice woman rang up the total, I think my mouth fell open, not from hunger, but from the price. Lordy, I need to go back to work to afford a hamburger!

“It’s incredible how expensive food is these days,” my husband remarked as he paid. He wasn’t complaining; he was making an observation. The cashier, a woman a few years younger than us, replied, “Yes, sir.  I’ve never seen our country like this in my lifetime.  It’s tough.”

Suddenly, my craving for that burger gave way to sadness.

I looked beyond the cashier at the staff working in the back of the restaurant—the ones pouring French fries into hot grease and others assembling burgers.  I also noticed the lady who had just cleaned the restrooms and the teenager bagging the takeout orders.

Many people around us are struggling and should not be ignored. These are individuals who cannot afford an occasional burger, medicine, or school supplies. They work hard but still find it difficult to live in a place they can call home.

They are Americans.

Some people buy only prime beef, don’t worry about prescription costs, and pay for private schools. They also work long hours, create jobs, and give generously to those who struggle.

They are Americans.

Many live in the in-between. They balance home and work life to save for their children’s education, medical needs, and try to fulfill their family’s  dreams.

They, too, are Americans.

From every corner of this nation, representing every race and socioeconomic class, we came together to fight in wars to preserve freedom for all. We united to combat our enemies, and when we achieved victory, we gathered to celebrate across the land in joyful harmony.

We are all Americans, but we have allowed our American brotherhood to be divided in harmful ways.

Political discord and incivility have created a disturbing divide among many Americans.  Most of us dislike this situation. It gets in the way of governing for the people. When we prioritize winning over serving our nation, everyone suffers.

We are not a winner-take-all society. We are a nation founded on principles of equality, freedom, and justice for all.

We have always disagreed. That is part of being American. But disagreement does not require disrespect, and our differences do not have to make us enemies. We can believe differently and still care about one another.

Maybe we should think about our neighbors, family, church, Thanksgiving tables, friendships – people who can disagree and still sit beside each other.

The Bible puts it quite bluntly: “There are six things the Lord hates – no, seven: Haughtiness, lying, murdering, plotting evil, eagerness to do wrong, a false witness, and finally …sowing discord among brothers.” Proverbs 6:16-19 (The Living Bible).

Is that simple enough to understand?  Most of us don’t want to do anything the Lord hates.  So why do some of us sow such division? Is it merely for power?

We are Americans.

We are the woman behind the register at Wendy’s. We are the people frying the fries. We are families living from paycheck to paycheck and praying there is enough.

We are the people in the mansions and the people who live in the in-between.

We are the Americans who joined forces with our allies to defeat enemies and tyrants because we understood that all individuals deserved to live in united freedom.

I don’t think the average American enjoys living in a divided society. We don’t want an America that separates, judges, or condemns others.  We are the people who notice others’ suffering and offer a helping hand. We must not allow political discord and incivility to rob America of its goodness.

Perhaps we need to look beyond ourselves, notice the people beside us, and remember that before we are anything else, we are Americans.