“Loved into being.” Who loved me into being? There have been so many. So many people have been involved in one way or another in my being who I am today. Friends, teachers, church community.

Yet, when I reach for one person who had direct influence on my choices that lead me to this church, to lay chaplaincy, to this chancel, there is one name that stands out, someone who affected my existence, and actions. But that person certainly didn’t “love” me into being, far from it. That person, strangely is Donald Trump. Donald Trump played an an angry and ugly, but influential part in my being here, doing what I am doing to make the world a little bit better.

I, maybe like some of you, came here after the Presidential election because I felt lost, and scared, like I needed to be in a place and with a community that would support any work I chose to do in what I knew would be difficult times. I came here to First UU of San Francisco to be a part of a caring, active, supportive community, and all around I see so many people getting involved, getting out and taking on the evils of the world. I myself participate more, work more, help more and am a better version of myself than I might be otherwise.

Mr. Trump said he was going to “make America great again.” Well, I kind of though it was great before, without his help. But I do feel that his influence has brought out some of America’s greatness in all the people who have become more more compassionate, more community oriented and more politically active. Greater numbers of women, and young people and Queer people are voting, organizing, marching, running for, and winning offices.

Would I be here, honestly if Hillary had been elected? Likely not. Like when President Obama was in the White House, I probably would have felt like everything would be OK, she would do the work and I could go on about living my life. I believe am a better person now than I would have been if the election had turned out differently.

So, while I won’t be thanking Mr. Trump any time soon for his role in this little drama, I am grateful to God, for being a part of this wonderful community.