for what it's worth, my thoughts on the election.
Election night and everything leading up to it has always been exciting to me. The debates, the narrowing down of the candidates, following the news and polls as the time draws nearer, and finally, Election Day. There’s something about filling in that little bubble that is so gratifying. Despite the craziness that this election became, the boys really got into it this year as well. They definitely began forming their own opinions as to who should/would become President and why. This lead to many interesting and thought provoking conversations, as well as teachable moments. There were questions I really wish I didn’t have to answer, like, “what is abortion?”. But, answers were given and we chose not to shelter our kids in a bubble. {And maybe a certain 4 year old was concerned his baby sister was going to be killed because well, that’s four year old logic for ya when said conversations are overheard.} The past many, many months we went through the process -- we watched the debates, we watched the conventions, we went to the polling place, we voted, and we stayed up til the wee hours of the morning watching the results.
I know many people that were upset over the nominees chosen by both parties, but in the end that’s what it came down to. And despite my opinions, beliefs, or personal preferences, I still had a choice. I keep coming back to the fact that it is an exciting thing to have the freedom, the privilege, to vote. As a United States citizen, it is my right…your right…to vote. We all get a say and an equal right to take part in this privilege to let our voice be heard.
And boy, there sure are a lot of voices. A lot of opinions. Again, something we all have a right to. I am not one to speak up or verbalize my opinion at all. In fact, my husband will often ask me my opinion on a matter and my first reaction is typically - well, what is yours? I have no desire to have a platform or let my voice be heard among the crowds. I tend to keep my voice within my close circle.
What I am struggling to understand the past couple days is the lack of respect shown towards one another. Of course, as with any election, one side is not going to be happy with the outcome. But the name calling, the judgements, the calling out of other people, the lack of love… is mind boggling to me. How can you “preach” love and maybe even throw in a Scripture or over spiritualization on the matter, yet in the same breath say, “What kind of person could vote for so and so…” Or, just blatantly trash talk anyone that had the nerve to vote for _________ {Fill in a candidate}. I mean, that doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. Hypocritical much? Sooooo, I only “love” you if you agree with me??
Given the options, I have my reasons for coming to the conclusions I came to and for the vote that I cast. And again, this is something I have a right to. I am not a racist, a homophobe, a bigot, or any negative word you want to fill in the blank with. I love and care about people. Disagreeing with someone else’s opinion or belief has nothing to do with my love for them. My husband and I don’t agree on everything. My parents and I or my extended family and I don’t agree on everything. My children will one day grow up and make choices that I probably won’t agree with. This does not change my love for them. It doesn’t make me disappointed in them. I am not them and they are not me… and quite frankly, I shouldn’t expect them to be.
Either side could have woken up on Wednesday morning being equally disappointed or sad or "afraid for our future". I’ve been on the both sides of the excitement or disappointment… we all have. God is still God and Tuesday’s election was not a surprise to Him. As far as the argument to “what do I tell my kids in the midst of this election?” Guess what kids - this is the world we live in and it could go either way. Thankfully, we live in a democracy where we have a choice. That’s how the system works. And no matter what - in the end - God is still in control. Pray. Pray for our country, pray for our leader, pray for our own hearts. Love. Love even when you disagree or do not understand. Don’t judge. A person’s vote doesn’t equate them to being a horrible person. Seek after God and trust in Him. And hey - when you are 18, prayerfully consider your options and go VOTE!
I know many people that were upset over the nominees chosen by both parties, but in the end that’s what it came down to. And despite my opinions, beliefs, or personal preferences, I still had a choice. I keep coming back to the fact that it is an exciting thing to have the freedom, the privilege, to vote. As a United States citizen, it is my right…your right…to vote. We all get a say and an equal right to take part in this privilege to let our voice be heard.
And boy, there sure are a lot of voices. A lot of opinions. Again, something we all have a right to. I am not one to speak up or verbalize my opinion at all. In fact, my husband will often ask me my opinion on a matter and my first reaction is typically - well, what is yours? I have no desire to have a platform or let my voice be heard among the crowds. I tend to keep my voice within my close circle.
What I am struggling to understand the past couple days is the lack of respect shown towards one another. Of course, as with any election, one side is not going to be happy with the outcome. But the name calling, the judgements, the calling out of other people, the lack of love… is mind boggling to me. How can you “preach” love and maybe even throw in a Scripture or over spiritualization on the matter, yet in the same breath say, “What kind of person could vote for so and so…” Or, just blatantly trash talk anyone that had the nerve to vote for _________ {Fill in a candidate}. I mean, that doesn’t make a ton of sense to me. Hypocritical much? Sooooo, I only “love” you if you agree with me??
Given the options, I have my reasons for coming to the conclusions I came to and for the vote that I cast. And again, this is something I have a right to. I am not a racist, a homophobe, a bigot, or any negative word you want to fill in the blank with. I love and care about people. Disagreeing with someone else’s opinion or belief has nothing to do with my love for them. My husband and I don’t agree on everything. My parents and I or my extended family and I don’t agree on everything. My children will one day grow up and make choices that I probably won’t agree with. This does not change my love for them. It doesn’t make me disappointed in them. I am not them and they are not me… and quite frankly, I shouldn’t expect them to be.
Either side could have woken up on Wednesday morning being equally disappointed or sad or "afraid for our future". I’ve been on the both sides of the excitement or disappointment… we all have. God is still God and Tuesday’s election was not a surprise to Him. As far as the argument to “what do I tell my kids in the midst of this election?” Guess what kids - this is the world we live in and it could go either way. Thankfully, we live in a democracy where we have a choice. That’s how the system works. And no matter what - in the end - God is still in control. Pray. Pray for our country, pray for our leader, pray for our own hearts. Love. Love even when you disagree or do not understand. Don’t judge. A person’s vote doesn’t equate them to being a horrible person. Seek after God and trust in Him. And hey - when you are 18, prayerfully consider your options and go VOTE!
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| We "all" voted! |
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| 4 years makes a huge difference! |
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| He "voted" for "Donald Trunk" He doesn't want anyone killing babies. His words, not mine ;) |
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