Dan Marler's Blog: June 2018

While walking along the Riverwalk pathway in Punta Gorda, this morning, I coincidentally happened upon a voter registration drive/rally. The relatively small rally (maybe 100 people, along with some local media) involved one of the most divisive hot button issues in our country.

Just before the event got underway I spotted a man setting up a banner nearby to establish a prayer area. The fellow who set up the “Prayer Stop” is Al, the person in the photo with me.

I approached Al and said to him, “I just texted my wife to tell her about this rally and she told me she was praying. And then I saw your prayer area here. Would it be possible for me to pray with you?”

Al very enthusiastically replied, “Yes, of course. Praise God!”

So, we put our arms around each other’s shoulders and prayed that the event would be peaceful and that God’s love, grace, patience and kindness would prevail in spite of the strong feelings that would surely be stirred.

I do not know Al’s political leanings. I did not ask him and I do not care. That’s not what is most important to me. And he did not ask mine. We were two brothers in Christ praying for a peaceful, respectful, non-violent event to transpire.

About 20 seconds after I walked away from my discussion and prayer time with Al someone walked past him and hurled the “F” word at him.

I guess this is how people who are short on substantive ideas exercise freedom of speech.

I stayed, watched and talked with some folks for a while but left before the event completely wrapped up. While I was there some very minor agitation occurred but, thankfully, no violence.

P.S. I am not interested in divisive political commentary on this post. That’s not why I am sharing it. I’m telling this story because of the Christian camaraderie and brotherhood that was experienced. Politically divisive comments will be deleted.