Building Bridges: Abe Lincoln on Forgiveness and Humility

"Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends." (Proverbs 17:9). In 1855, Abraham Lincoln experienced a deep personal slight that revealed his unusual capacity to forgive and transcend personal vendetta, humiliation, or bitterness. According to historian Doris Kearns Goodwin in "Team of Rivals," the John Manny Company hired Lincoln to help defend itself against a patent lawsuit. After Lincoln spent the summer preparing briefs, the trial venue was switched from Chicago to Cincinnati, and lead attorney George Harding dropped him from the case without telling him, and instead brought in Edwin Stanton, a nationally renowned lawyer.

The Trial: Stanton's Scorn

At trial time in September, Lincoln went directly to the hotel in Cincinnati where Harding was staying. There, he encountered Harding and Stanton leaving for court. Harding was shocked at the sight of the ungainly backwoodsman with coarse ill-fitting clothes. Lincoln introduced himself and suggested they go together to court. Stanton whispered to Harding in contempt. They turned away from Lincoln and continued to court on their own. The following day, Stanton further humiliated Lincoln by telling him he was expected to remove himself from the case.

Lincoln's Response: Listening Instead of Leaving

Lincoln did withdraw but remained in Cincinnati to hear the case argued. Harding and Stanton never opened Lincoln's brief and never asked him to join them for a meal or accompany them to court. Yet rather than take offense, Lincoln listened intently to Stanton's arguments, later remarking that he had found the sophisticated arguments a revelation and was going back home to study law.

Six Years Later: A Transformative Choice

Six years later during the early part of the Civil War, President Lincoln needed a Secretary of War. Instead of harboring bitterness, he chose Stanton, the very man who had humiliated him, because he was the most capable man for the job. Stanton not only accepted, but came to respect and love Lincoln more than any person outside of his immediate family.

Now He Belongs to the Ages

In 1865, Lincoln was assassinated at Ford's Theatre. At his deathbed stood Edwin Stanton, the man who once scorned him. Moments after Lincoln's last breath, Stanton, with tears streaming down his face, spoke the words that have echoed through history: "Now he belongs to the ages." Lincoln's greatness was not only in his leadership, but in his humility and willingness to forgive. His patience and longsuffering were remarkable. Instead of clinging to past wrongs, he built bridges and turned enemies into friends. What about you? Do you hold on to grievances, or do you forgive others and seek reconciliation?

Douglas County Real Estate Update

The jump in mortgage interest rates over 3 years ago slammed the brakes on the heat of the strong seller's market. Since then, buyers pulled back and home price growth has been flat. Housing inventory and days on market have been slowly increasing. There's a possibility that mortgage rates will decrease into the fall and winter, and depending on the strength of the economy that may be enough for more buyers to enter the market.

Where the Market Stands: June 2025 Data

The Douglas County absorption rate currently sits at 24%, which technically still qualifies as a seller's market (above 20%), but the pace has slowed considerably from the record 77% we saw in April 2022. Average days on market have risen to 68, with the median at 35 days. Well-priced, well-prepared homes are still moving, but properties that miss the mark on pricing or condition are sitting much longer.

Inventory and Buyer Activity

Housing inventory continues its slow climb back toward balanced territory. We're now at roughly 4.5 months of supply, up from the historic low of 1.1 months in December 2020. New listings have been steady, and buyer activity remains cautious but present. Cash and conventional buyers still make up the majority of transactions, with government-backed loans (VA, FHA, USDA) accounting for about 30% of sales.

What This Means for Sellers and Buyers

For sellers: this is no longer a market where you can list high and wait for offers. Pricing accuracy is everything. Homes priced within 3% of their comparative market analysis are selling in 3-5 weeks. Homes priced above that range are sitting 60+ days and accumulating stale-listing stigma. For buyers: the shift toward balance means more negotiating power, fewer bidding wars, and more time to make thoughtful decisions. If mortgage rates dip further into the fall, we could see a meaningful uptick in buyer activity heading into 2026.