I know there are a variety of strong emotions floating around out there. Some are overjoyed; some are disappointed; some are fearful, etc. You know which of those categories you fit into. I have been bouncing around each of those emotions like a roller coaster that wouldn't end for the last year or more. Last night, after nearly two years of bickering, and politicking, and analyzing, and worrying, and hoping, and praying, and listening to how America will cease to exist as we know it if this happens, or how the world will come crashing down if that happens, the roller coaster finally ended. And more than anything else today, I feel relief.
Last night, after I watched Obama's acceptance speech, still unsure what to make of the whole evening, I pulled out my Bible. I've been trying to read through the entire Old Testament for the last 3 years or so, and it's really a tough thing for me. I'm not a reader or a history buff, and don't understand or process much of what the Old Testament says. But I made my Bible time a priority before I went to bed last night, and these were the first words I read:
"The Lord reigns; let the earth be glad; let the distant shores rejoice." Psalm 97:1
It was one of those few times in my life when I've felt like God was speaking directly to me in that moment.
I hold my Conservative ideals of life, liberty, pursuit of happiness, small government, individual responsibility, capitalism, defense, etc. very dear. Like many who share my values, I get anxious and personally offended when those ideals are threatened. Last night, America spoke loud and clear. Time will tell how our choices last night will affect the principles this country was built on, and I ask all of you to join me in praying for God's blessings over our President, our Senate and Congress, and our Supreme Court Justices over the next four years. Please pray that they will make decisions with wisdom and guidance from God. I hope they do a superb job of dealing with the issues we face, and that America is a strong and thriving nation after all is said and done.
Whether that does or doesn't happen, I have work to do. God doesn't often speak directly to me in clear-cut, obvious ways. But He does guide my path, and He has revealed a couple of things to me as I've spent more time with Him over the years. The first idea, He taught me in college:
I can't control what others do; I can only control what *I* do.
The second, He has been ingraining in me over and over again since my college days, and especially as I've engaged in this election process:
Love God, and love people. This is my primary and most important purpose in this life. Life is full of ups and downs and huge disappointments sometimes. But my purpose doesn't change, even if my circumstances do.
As this election has unfolded, I've been glued to the TV and radio, trying to predict the outcome. Despite
Do It Anyway
People are often unreasonable, illogical, and self-centered; forgive them anyway.
If you are kind, people may accused you of selfish, ulterior motives; be kind anyway.
If you are successful, you will win some false friends, and some true enemies; succeed anyway.
If you are honest and frank, people may cheat you; be honest and frank anyway.
What you spend years building, someone could destroy overnight; build anyway.
If you find serenity and happiness, others may be jealous; be happy anyway.
The good you do today, people will often forget tomorrow; do good anyway.
If you give the world the best you have, it may never be enough; give the world the best you've got anyway.
You see, in the final analysis, it is between you and God; it was never between you and other people anyway.
-Mother Teresa
Have a GREAT day!! We are here in our house!
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