Where have they gone? Our values that is … our courtesies, our basic sense of respect, just plain decency. Our college campuses give me the most pause here. “My word is my bond.” Don’t hear this as often anymore. Now it’s PC… intolerance, angrily disagreeing… fighting with one another… way too much.Of course we’ve reaped what we’ve sown. The “trophy” kids; all the greed; the drift from Faith. But don’t go with what I’ve said so far. At least not yet.I learned during my decades working, consulting in businesses that you have to be careful. A constant refrain I’ve run into, “They are saying.”… “They are really upset by this” They they they. Who are they? 90% of the time I’ve heard this claim. But I know this. Most chaos, conflict stems from a minority… not in the majority. The minority. “Who are they?” Usually an antagonistic few. Those whose values have faded, morphed, emerged most of the time just plain… not good.

We were just shocked by the election of a President. The “silent” majority spoke. While all the pundits, the “experts” the 10% fell from grace. The minority lost… simply missed the true values driving most in our country. I have wondered why today when the Star Spangled Banner plays… I tear, get emotional like never before. Could be that I’m on the “back nine”. Aging that is. But as I think about it, I more believe this comes from my sense of our own fall from grace… the waning of our fundamental value system… or so it appears.Back to the 90%. I do not fear for our Country today, our future. “Your kidding!” I do not.

You see my belief has always been that our Lord, or your chosen higher power works in strange ways sometimes. It’s always darkest before the dawn… chaos must precede peace. I think of my own life experience. How true, how often along my path this has applied. 10% (10, 20… doesn’t really matter) of the voices we hear daily are negative. About our politics, free speech, the haves and the have nots. Just exhausting. Adolescent really. In fact there are too few real “adults” among us today, too few leaders in the 90% to hush the vocal 10.The latest election has proven a truth.

There is s voice that needs to rise in society today. That silent majority who live in our states, our cities, our communities who live value driven lives. Those who still go to church. Those who raise responsible kids. They must look at the minority and say, “Oh my God… stop! Stop!” Be heard. Reclaim your voice. Lead.

But beware. There is a movement, a constant evolving reality in motion. That value different minority is growing. Unsuspecting young people are joining the flock. Adolescent children can be tough enough to live with without unsavory, valueless options available to them.”Yeah, let’s protest.” But when too many protesters are asked, “Protest about what?” ” “Aaa” Most don’t know.So, my hope… actually my cry to those in that silent majority above is,

“Oh my God!” Please voice, scream about our loss of values… and all the sad realities this reveals. Be the adults among this throng of adolescents… young and old! Help return us to the values that birthed this country, are gracefully God given… immutable. “Oh my God!”How urgently I pray.