I believe it was Tuesday, November 4, 1986 that my husband dragged his very pregnant wife, now 12 days overdue, to vote. I did not want to go stand in line to vote; especially because my back was killing me if I stood for more than five minutes and this kid was sitting on my bladder 24/7.
He promised it would be quick, but when we got there, the line was long. I still remember what I was wearing because it was the only thing that fit and it had become my uniform until this baby decided to appear. I won’t go into describing the whole get up, but I will say this: 2X trench coat from Goodwill. There. Now you have a good visual. (I pray there are no pictures of this incident anywhere.)
While waiting, one of the volunteers working the polls, rolled her desk chair over to the middle of the line and offered it to me. I accepted. I also had to to get out of that chair, at least twice, to pee. People were very understanding as my husband held my place in line with that empty chair. When we finally reached the front of the line, my husband scooted me over to the polls and I voted. Thus having done my duty as an American.
I have to say, I felt just as reluctant and heavy going to vote this year. Like many of you, I really did not feel confident about either candidate, but it is our privilege and right as an American. We have a duty to elect our leader, even if we aren't 100% on board with the choice of candidates.
I don't know about you, but I am so grateful that the commercials and social media arguments are behind us. It has been one of the nastiest elections I can remember and regardless of who won, I am glad that at least that part is done.
To be clear, I am not going to even mention who won or lost. My blog is not a place for political opinions or leader bashing, but I do have something to say on this. It seems as though the biggest part of this whole election was what the candidates did wrong. To prove who had the worst morals. Not who could run our country most effectively. The media (and the candidates) were working hard to expose every wrong doing they could find. I'm sitting here thinking that in all the campaigning and commercials, it was rare (if ever) we heard about the good in each person.
It's similar to how Jesus became King, but that was definitely one-sided trashing of the candidate. He was downright persecuted in his journey here on earth. Yet he never “bashed” or hurt anyone with words that were hateful, to get to the throne.
He became our King by showing people what love and honor really is. He earned the love and respect of his followers. And it was not by bashing anyone who got in his way, especially the kings who tried to bring him down.
Take King Herod for instance; he was so threatened by the birth of the baby that was to be king, he tried to have him killed. You didn't hear Jesus' father, Joseph, say, “Hey, listen to me on behalf of this baby that will become king, you got nothing on him! He is only a few hours old, but let me tell you about Herod! He is a cheat and a murderer! Is that who you are going to serve? Don’t listen to a word he has to say." That definitely did not happen.
Later on, Jesus was older and in Jerusalem doing exactly what God had told him to do: healing and teaching. He refused to be manipulated by King Herod (a different one) or anyone else who was persecuting him. He kept moving forward to carry out the assignment his Father had given him, doing so, according to God’s schedule. He didn't retaliate with attacking the character of Herod. He just kept doing the good he was called to do. People trusted him because of his character and the truth he was preaching. That would have been a refreshing change from what our candidates were doing, wouldn't it?
Jesus made God’s Heavenly Kingdom the focus of his preaching. He made it clear where the focus in our lives should be.
However you voted in the election, we need to pray for God to bless our President. We can pray for our President to be granted wisdom and health. We can pray that God would bring our government’s good ideas to fruition and work to dismiss the bad ideas. The votes have been cast and the decision has been made. God is in control of all of this. Through it all, let’s be the people who are marked by kindness and respect. Let’s us make sure to support our country’s leader with honor, with respect, prayer, and most of all, with love.
In the end this is the verse we need to surrender ourselves to:
"God reigns over the nations; God sits on His holy throne.” -Psalm 47:8
Yes, God is on the throne above the president and all the world around us. That’s how I sleep at night when I worry about the future of our country and what it will look like for my grand babies. God's got it, all of it. God’s kingdom is the only solution to mankind's problems.
Remember this song by Lee Greenwood?
And I'm proud to be an American where at least I know I'm free.
And I won't forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I'd gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land - God bless the U.S.
Peace on your weekend,
Sherry