This Presidents’ Day, are you proud to be an American?

Presidents’ Day is a day set aside in the United States to celebrate the birthday of our first president, George Washington, and our sixteenth president, Abraham Lincoln. Two presidents: the father of our country and the president who led us successfully through our civil war.

Some view Presidents’ Day as an opportunity to celebrate the merits of all the presidents who have served this nation. But these days it’s almost impossible to have a calm discussion about the merits of our various political leaders. Emotions run high and opinions are so severely divided that permanent rifts have been created in families and long-term friendships have been destroyed.

It can be difficult to separate our opinions about our nation from our opinions about our leaders. Even historical leaders have come under scrutiny as cherished, traditional views are challenged.

Children are not immune from the political bickering in their families, churches, schools, and neighborhoods. They pick up the language of those they admire, both good and bad. They have learned to refer to those on the other side of the political aisle with names they would never be allowed to use in any other context.

Whether Republican or Democrat, Conservative or Liberal, it’s time for us to learn how to disagree without compromising our convictions or our Christian character. It’s time for us to realize our political leaders are neither angels nor devils. They are men and women with different perspectives and values. We can work together to defeat the agendas of political parties and politicians with whom we disagree without demonizing them.

The bottom line is that the United States is still a great nation with a longer list of people who desire to enter than those who want to leave. And for that, on this Presidents’ Day, I am, indeed, proud to be an American.