"Honey, what's wrong?"
"I picked the wrong person!" she sobbed into her tiny hands.
"What?" I was thoroughly confused.
"I picked the wrong person!"
"What are you talking about?"
Through tear-stained cheeks she lamented, "We voted in school today to pick the people we wanted as president and I picked the wrong one!" her little body wracked in sobs.
For the next twenty minutes or so, we discussed who she had picked, why she picked that person, and why she thought she had picked wrongly. We talked about the Democratic process and how we get to vote for whoever we want to vote for, and that as long as we had taken that vote seriously, had asked our Father to guide our vote, and were convicted about the person we were choosing, there wasn't a "wrong" choice.
I maybe didn't agree with the words I was saying whole-heartedly as the thought of having to draw a closing line on my ballot for either Hillary or Donald made me physically ill. I sat in front of my ballot for probably not less than weeks thinking, praying, asking my Heavenly Father what was best for our country, what followed His will.
Tonight as I read through my Facebook feed, I realize that I have a lot of angry and disappointed friends. Friends that are worried and scared. Friends that are casting their "shame on you, America" words to their counterparts that potentially cast a vote for Donald Trump. I am heartbroken that in a time when we should be bonding together and praying for this great nation, we are lashing out in anger at each other, already pointing fingers, accusing the people that voted for Trump of being stupid and ignorant and backwards.
We need to stop! This needs to stop! This country was founded on turmoil and strife. We were built on Revolutionary Wars and a nation declaring its freedom from oppressors. We have been torn down to our core numerous times in the past and we have risen from the ashes and become a nation united, a people bonded by the common fact that we are Americans! And we are resilient!!
We are not who our president is! We are beautiful, loving people with amazing potential. We are the sum of the citizens of this great country, United together in faith and hope and peace and love.
We don't need Hillary to be our president to be "Stronger Together." And we certainly don't need Donald to "Make America Great Again." We have the potential for both of those things no matter who our leader is because We, the People, of the United States of America are a brave people. We are a wise people. We are a strong people. We are people together, fighting to save this country and fighting to save our relationships.
So, I implore you to stop with the divisiveness! Stop with the unkindness and the anger. Stop with the hate and let's bond together NOW! Bond together to heal this nation and get her back on the path to being the greatest nation in the world. You know what I did see in those Facebook posts? Passion! So much passion! Let's channel that, and use that, and bond together, and fight to save this great nation!
As we look towards the end of this week, let's focus on what has really made our country stronger, and the people that are really responsible for our freedoms and making America great - our Veterans! They fought for us in each growing pain toward freedom in this country. They fought for us to keep us safe. They fought for us so that we might rest in peace at night while they sacrifice their time and families and some of them ultimately, their lives. Donald Trump may have won the election. But HE does not define who we are as a nation. We do! We, the people! We are what makes America great! We are what is needed to get this country back on track.
As I watched the election results come in on the television, I had an overwhelming sense of peace. Why? Because I've been focusing a lot on Psalm 27:1 throughout this election and campaign process. It says, "The Lord is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?" Peace...not fear! Peace! I have faith that God will protect us. I have faith that God will bless our president, no matter who that may be. I have faith that this will make us stronger! I have faith that Father God has a plan for me, for my friends and loved ones, and for this country! We will move forward in faith and peace and hope and love and we will become stronger together and we will make America great again.
So let's stop with hateful, angered talk! Enough with the fighting and bickering and blaming! Be done with attacking each other! Put down those feelings, and just know that God is in control! He's got this! And He's got us...right in the palm of His hand.
I am grateful this election season is over, and I speak peace over the times that are to come and I pray for our great nation! As we embark on this new adventure as a country, I stand here today and declare that "I'm with HIM!" My Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! For through Him, I am made stronger everyday, and I have faith that He will make our country stronger everyday as well! Stand with me! Peace, hope, faith, love...I'm with Him! Amen!)
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