I was born on a Sunday — and in church every Sunday after that for 18 years. For all the good it did me, there’s one thing I’m jaded to. And that’s the story that the sky is falling. Truth be told it wasn’t falling 66 years ago, and it’s probably not falling now.

On this Sunday, there are those on both sides who talk in terms of “the last election, never going to get it back, and will rue the day.” But that song’s been sung since Jesus was a child.

It’s true there’s jeopardy possible in four more years of the current agenda, but also in electing those who the soberest of people, the kind my dad respected greatly, would say don’t. But with all that, neither choice is going to end us.

If there was ever a sky falling in recent times, it’s been in our letting slide the things that truly make us a great.

Things like mutual respect, especially with those who disagree, because it makes us better. Teaching kids how to really connect, because it makes them better. And embracing character as the first test, because it makes us all better.

That’s the rope we’ve slowly let go of. And it’s an easy one to grab hold of again, if just a few, and then a few more, begin standing for what’s always been true.

That it’s never been about the White House. It’s about our house.

Since Jesus was a child.

Brian Heath

Manchester