Just As Troubled

This election season I am choosing to be quiet, and will make no posts on candidates or who I think will win. Instead, I am spending time reading up on John Adams. My favourite Founding Father from my county’s Old Republic.

Upon moving to the Netherlands, where Adams once served as Ambassador, I learned of his biography by the late David McCullough. This masterpriece reads like D.B. Jackson’s Thieftaker Chronicles, and it shows a young America just as troubled as today.

Though Adam’s lifetime had no shots at former Presidents, there were still the shots of British guns and booming canon fire. And though there was no hardened Left and Right-wing spectrum, Americans still had divides like Loyalists and Patriots.

Indeed, our Old Republic was just as troubled as now, but even so, as McCoullough writes, Adams found a bit of hope. He believed, like Julian of Norwich, that all would be well, and he did so from three comforts I am finding in his story.

Comfort 1

The first comfort is things that did not happen to America, and especially the ills we feared or “what ifs” unfulfilled. There were sufferings possible that did not come to pass, from World War III to a sequel of our deadly Civil War. Even our individual lives were spared from several pains, and the greatest pain was death and leaving cherished ones behind. So much has not occurred, which is cause for showing gratitude. We can be hopeful from the things that did not happen in the past.

Comfort 2

The second comfort is what is happening in America, which is more than just the heavy cares that burden us at present. There are joys before our eyes that lift us from the sorrows, and blessings to be counted as we curse the current troubles. While divisions seem to thrive, there are broken walls between us, and we are still finding common ground in the things that really matter. So much is taking place, which is also cause for gratitude. We can be hopeful from what is happening or taking place right now.

Comfort 3

The final comfort is what could happen in America, which, like what is happening, is more than woeful cares. With the pains that we might face are a vast amount of joys. Good things that are possible and brighten up the future. Just as sufferings are guaranteed, so are joys within this life, and the generations after us will be blessed to know their beauty. Much good will take place, which is further cause for gratitude. We can be hopeful from the things that could happen in the future.

All Will Be Well

St. Paul once wrote that one should think upon what is wholesome. What is true, respected, right, pure, lovely, and worthy of praise. Such things have never been absent from the American story, which includes the false, uncouth, imperfect, sordid, and unlovely. We cannot deny the unwholesome which has its time and place. Yet, we must acknowledge where things are right and let them have their place.

What I like the most about McCollough’s account of Adams’ life, is that he shows a man who gives what is wholesome a proper focus and place. Through the sounds of angry guns and canon fire around him, he enjoyed a glass of Madeira and a conversation with friends. And though an ardent Patriot he still cared for the Loyalist, and found relief from great divides in familial bonds at home.

In this election season I pray that all Americans would be like Adams, and think upon what is wholesome as they worry for the future. May we rest in the comforts in our past and in our present, and may these comforts bring us hope that somehow all will be well.