He was given the distinction as “The most trusted man in America.” That honor of course was given to news anchorman Walter Cronkite, who died this week at age 92. I remember watching Cronkite on the nightly news when I was a little boy. That of course was several years before 24 hour cable news entered the arena. What stands out to me are the daily images and analysis of the Vietnam War. I was just a little boy playing with his hot wheels on the living room floor, as Walter Cronkite reported on the tumultuous events in Southeast Asia that were dramatically affecting the mood of our nation. My parents listened intently and respected his opinion on world affairs.

When I heard of Cronkite’s passing, I wondered to myself: Who is the most trusted man in America today? In fact, I wondered who do we trust day? Do we trust anyone? Is there anyone in America that is trusted implicitly by a vast majority of the country? I had a hard time coming up with any names… It seems that that we more divided than ever before. Profound philosophical differences among us make it nearly impossible to embrace someone whom we will all respect and trust.

I don’t think I will ever be given the distinction of being “The most trusted man in America.” I gave up on pursuing that goal on one of many trips to the principal’s office. I am reminded however of the importance of trust in today’s crazy world.
I want to associate with trustworthy people. I in turn want to be a person whom my friends and colleagues can trust.

Trust is a trait that has gone by the wayside. I find that kids are far more wary today. Church members often assume that their leaders are up to something, when that is not the case at all. People tend to automatically assume the worst of motives when an event unfolds. Somewhere along the way mutual trust faded away as Walter Cronkite’s generation passed on, and gave way to its successors.

I am thinking today about what it means to be trustworthy. And I am wondering what that looks like today’s world? I am well beyond the stage of playing with my hot wheels on the living floor. (Or at least on most days.) And I am fully aware that my capacity to be trustworthy will impact not only my children, but their children as well. I was quite sad to hear of Mr. Cronkite’s passing. His passing reminded me that trustworthiness is a rare attribute in the world we live in today.