Over the past week, there have been numerous stories of goodwill – of everyday people going the extra mile and performing acts of courage when they saw someone in trouble. One such story shared via Facebook was that of 15-year-old Temar Boggs who rode for 15 minutes on his bike chasing the car being driven by someone who apparently abducted a 5-year-old girl from her yard in Pennsylvania. Another great story that made it through the Facebook airways this week was that of a Tennessee nurse who sang a duet of O Holy Night with a cancer patient who was in the hospital receiving his chemo treatment. These kinds of stories remind us of the heart of our country – the people who are at the core of their being what America and being an American is all about.

Especially at this time of year, we are reminded with every Christmas song that plays on the radio of the joy that abounds out amongst our neighbors across the nation. If you believe in the "reason for the season," the birth of the Savior who came to save the world, you are especially touched by acts of kindness that are shared this time of the year. This kind of behavior is also at the heart of what it means to be a Christian, one who believes in the child born in the manger. If you are one of this group, you also know the transformation that took place in your life when you opened your heart to him.

Another story that has been hot on the airways this week is on a much sadder note – the combat being expressed in the House of Representatives the last few days over impeachment proceedings of our President.

In all fairness, I believe it has been an unfair process from the beginning. Senate Majority Leader, McConnell, said "in sync with this line of thinking, there is currently a great divide between the House of Representatives and the Senate, and within the American people themselves, dividing those who believe in a 'socialist' democratic party, and the old democratic party, as well as the republican party ideals alive when Lincoln took office and representative of the Reagan years" (Fox News, 19 December 2019). I think this is at the heart of the problem on both sides. People have forgotten we are all Americans and what has identified us and set us apart from all other nations in the world is our belief in a pride and love for the country our people fought and died for, and continue to do so. Instead of focusing on what draws us together, we have instead turned our focus to ideals and fallacies that are driving us apart. If the Republican party stood for the ideals that were present in the Reagan era, and the Democratic party, as well, stood for the people, not the party, the nation would be united instead of divided over the political themes that are reigning supreme.

Whether you are a fan of Trump or not, Pelosi's abuse of power ought to smack of socialist dictator rhetoric that has no place in the body of the House. In this instance it would be important to remember the "House has the power to judge, Senate has the power to rule'" notes Schumer in regard to impeachment (Fox News, December 2019).

Kevin McCarthy, House Minority Leader asks, "Do you trust the wisdom of the people, or do you deny them a say in their government? We are a government of, by, and for the people. Always remember, we work for you, not the other way around" (FoxNews.com, December 2019).

Each side is pointing fingers at the other, calling each out for what they have, or have not done.

As the greatest nation on the earth, what has been at the backbone of our strength is the American family, and that greatness either rises or falls within that structure. We, as a whole, one family at a time, must decide to stand for the principles that we were founded on. Otherwise, we are no different from any other country that puts themselves first.

God's laws are set forth not to restrict us but to free us from the greed, pride, and wickedness that is at the core of every human heart. When we choose to put our neighbor above ourselves and our own selfish wants, it is the beginning of the kind of wisdom that will bring unity once again. I was reminded where that kind of sacrificial love begins this morning while listening to a Christmas tune, Thankful, by Josh Groban. Below are the words. I would encourage you to read them and listen with not only your mind, but allow them to penetrate your inner self. I pray for all those in power that they will once again turn to the only Power that can change the hearts and minds of man; for I believe then and only then will be united once again.

Thankful by Josh Groban

Somedays, we forget to look around us
Somedays, we can't see the joy that surrounds us
So caught up inside ourselves
We take when we should give
So for tonight we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us, to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for
Look beyond ourselves
There's so much sorrow
It's way too late to say, I'll cry tomorrow
Each of us must find our truth
It's so long overdue
So for tonight we pray for

What we know can be
And every day, we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us, to be the change
And even though we all can still do more
There's so much to be thankful for

Even with our differences
There is a place we're all connected
Each of us can find each other's light

So for tonight, we pray for
What we know can be
And on this day, we hope for
What we still can't see
It's up to us, to be the change
And even though this world needs so much more
There's so much to be thankful for