Wednesday, November 05, 2008

Post-election musings

So the election is finally over--votes tallied, races won and lost, and history has occurred. Although the person I voted for did not come away the "winner", I truly believe that everything will be ok. God is in control--and He alone knows what will happen. I also know, thanks to a certain sweet lady from my meeting this morning, that we are called to pray for our leader, no matter who they are. So I need to search my own heart and admit that while I am not thrilled right now with the way the race turned out, it does not mean that I can turn my head or my heart away from our president-elect. He needs and deserves my prayers and support. So I guess this post is just to remind me I need to "put on my big girl panties" and be the adult and Christian God has called me to be--even if I don't feel like it.

I am gratified that we still have people in our country who believe in the sanctity of marriage and believe in what is best for the children of today. I praise God that in California marriage is now on their state constitution as being between one man and one woman only. I praise Him that in Arkansas you must be a non-cohabiting adult, either married or single, to foster and/or adopt a child. I know there were many opponents to both of these amendments who will say many things against those who voted their conscience, but God also knew the outcome to these votes, and for that I say amen!

Caleb's class had a mock election yesterday, as did Emma's. He voted for John McCain, and when I asked Emma who she voted for, she said, "Mark Obamba". I told her his correct name, and then asked why she chose him over McCain. She looked at me and said, "I can't read, so I just picked the wrong one." Thankfully they are still too young to really understand all that has been going on, but I will make a point today to talk to them about how significant this election really has been.

Sorry for the rambling--just wanted to get some of my thoughts out while I have a few minutes of quiet in the house.

2 comments:

Mandi Zachary said...

Extremely enlightening thoughts, my friend. You know...I teach in a school that is (my estimation) 99% African-American. So, in my social studies classes, I have taught and talked a lot about the election. Although I agreed with a large majority of the actual "campaign issues" of Obama, I was very upfront with my students about the difficulty I had in choosing a man who didn't espouse my core values of the santity of human life, marriage between a man and woman, and many other "core value" issues. I was very happy, however, that, as John McCain so graciously said, "American has spoken". I think that it speaks volumes for our country that we can elect someone based on character and leadership qualities and not factor in race. So, kind of like you...as I don't understand exactly where my place in all of this is, I do understand that I am called to pray for our new president-elect. By the way, I explained to Eli that our country (where we live, I told him) was picking somebody to be in charge. Who did he want me to choose--McCain or Obama? He said McCain. Then, I switched their names around...Obama or McCain. Again, McCain. So, I tried it one more time, just to be sure. This time he let out an exasperated breath and said, "Do you understand me, Mama? I said McCain. Yes, sir???"--as though he were now in charge--as he thinks he is alot!

Fourgiven Momma said...

Very similar to a post I had in my head, but never actually typed out!
As hard as it will be to a have a president who is on the opposite side of most, if not all issues, like you said we are called to pray for our leaders as well as be humble and obedient (unless they ask us to go against God's law of course).
The week of the election God showed me a lot of scripture related to those things. I have also tried to keep in perspective that this is not our home and the darker this world gets our longing for Heaven increases that much more.
I suppose the darker the world gets the more we will stand out from the crowd and we'll certainly have a lot of opportunities to be light and salt and bring glory to God.
Long comment, just wanted to say, I hear ya, Sister!