The little ones are so trusting. You really have to work hard to lose their trust. I think most of us are like that. I know I have been in the past and I think it is a sad thing to lose, because when it’s gone, what replaces it? Wisdom? Most likely cynicism. I’m afraid that I am beginning to look for motive in virtually everything now. That’s a hard way to live. I so long for kindness and honesty, and I can’t believe that I’m using this word… tolerance.

How did such a great word become so maligned by so many of us? Tolerance.

I’ll tell you how, the meaning was changed to mean acceptance. We are now at the place in our lives where if I’m not celebrating, right there with you, something that I don’t agree with, I’m not tolerant. And that just cannot go unpunished. We are going to learn real tolerance or the gulf between us will continue to grow. How do people so radically different learn to coexist? I wish I knew the answer.

So here we are, gullible and trusting, wanting to believe, so we do, while those more cunning fool us time after time. I pray for leaders that will lead, with a good heart, and find a way to fill in the gulf. Meanwhile, we are killing each other by the tens and twenties and more. Today’s target, a church, all ages, gone foever. What will tomorrow bring?

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