Someone of a VERY different political bent than myself recently said to me – after finding out that I had dealt with death threats over the summer – “Well I hope you learned a thing or two.”

I did. But I’m almost positive that the things I learned were NOT the things she was thinking of.

I learned that there is no way to predict what piece of your social media life will go viral.

I learned that shining a light on injustice will always anger those benefitting from that injustice.

I learned that speaking up for the oppressed will always infuriate the oppressors – and sometimes the person who is angriest doesn’t even realize that they ARE one of the oppressors!

I learned that one political party is VERY diverse, full of people with ideologies that do not perfectly line up all the time. But they are always down for a good conversation and will ask really fantastic questions.

I learned, sadly, that many Christians will justify all sorts of immoral behavior over one political issue that they just can’t get past.

I learned that there are SOOOOOO many people who have been badly hurt by religious folk masquerading as Christians.

I learned that “white privilege” has nothing to do with money or social status, marginalized groups need allies who will educate THEMSELVES and then speak up, and I learned that there are a HUGE number of people who just want to know that they are loved without condition.

Most importantly, I learned loads about myself and how to put the faith I claim into practice in a hurting world. I know what real contentment and inner peace feels like and my faith walk has NEVER been stronger.

So yeah. I learned a thing or two.