Waking up this morning, I knew this would be a day of reconciling an array of emotions, truth,and preconceived ideas and opinions. So as I go through this process, as I have told my daughters many times, you must go back to the truth…..what is true?
This past election found me fitting into too many “battleground” issues…..a Christian who strongly believes in a conservative, small government approach, a small business owner, a baby boomer with a very small retirement fund, (now much smaller due to the manufacturered financial crisis), a person who pays for their own healthcare….out of pocket, a “right to lifer”, one who believes in a strong military and knows that I v ery well may see a grandson go off to war, one who has been greatly affected by the economic crisis as there is little work for cabinet makers and those whose lively hood depends on the amount of dollars given to the church.
It matters not to me what color of skin, education, or physical appearance any of our elected officials have. It does matter to me what/who those same people listen to, are mentored by, guided by, their morals, and their history/experience in leadership, and knowledge of international affairs/issues.
It would be largely agreed that the currant administration made a lot of mistakes….but do please remember that those mistakes were not enacted by one person alone. And equally important is to remember that there was a lot of good done as well. Freedom is not free, and the war against terror does and will continue to cost….but we have made great progress. I can’t help but think some of our discontent is because we didn’t think it would take so long and cost so much (both in human toll and $$). We are after all a society of “I want it now, I want it cheap, and I don’t want it to hurt me” in many ways. Honor and decency were restored to the position of commander in chief during this administration after 8 years of shame and disappointment. We do after all expect a higher standard of values, integrity, ethics and morals from those who are in top positions.
So what do I hope for? I hope that those who are in leadership will understand that they must vote and enact legislation that is for the best for America, not for just a select group. I hope that our borders will be tightened, and those wanting to come here will do so legally. I want jobs to stay here and not be outsourced to other countries I want people to start helping each other out instead of waiting for the government to hand them money they have not earned. I want small businesses to flourish, and be able to turn a profit without having to go severely in debt…..I want people to realize what they truly can afford and stop trying to buy more than they need or can possibly pay for. I want our retirement funds to be protected and our faith to not be in the stock market for our prosperity. I want the unborn to be always protected and cherished. I want the institution of marriage and family to be as ordained in the Word of God, and not decided by those who think they can make up their own rules simply because they want “whats right for them”. I hope that the big corporations who are making ridiculous profits at the cost of the taxpayer would be forced to “spread the wealth” to not the stockholder but to the people who really paid the price. I want our natural resources used in a careful and responsible way.
I declare that “my hope is built on nothing less than Jesus’ blood and righteousness”. It is ultimately Jehovah God who chooses who will rule men on earth, and if He can use a talking donkey, then He can use whatever human from whichever political party He deems necessary to accomplish His plan for His people. My responsibility is to obey my governmental leaders, give “Ceasar what Ceasar is due”, and to pray for them. It is my mandate to not give way to despair, but to be the best Christian American citizen I can be in spite of what the general consensus is of those around me. It is my job to come alongside the downtrodden, the widows, orphans, the fatherless, the weak and infirm, and use my abilities and my resources to make their lives resourceful, peaceful, and productive.
My Hope? It’s not in a political party, not in a financial institution, not in an elected leader, not in a program or legislation. It is in Christ and Christ alone.
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