Aftermath

What an emotional week! For the past several months, the American people,have been bombarded with television commercials, candidate debates, news stories, and telephone polls all leading up to the election on November 4th . Now, the decision has finally been made, and with it, a monumental moment in American history.

I can't imagine what it must feel like for a person of African American heritage to see an African American elected to the presidency of the United States. The pride must be beyond measure. The success of President-elect Barack Obama in winning the majority vote speaks to millions throughtout the country of the reality of accomplishing one's dreams.

Despite his triumph, many Americans felt a grave disappointment on the evening of November 4th because the candidate they had voted for did not win. I was overcome with sadness for Senator McCain when he made his concession speech. I believe he is a man who loves this country deeply. He has proven that through years of service to America, not to mention a sacrifice few Americans are asked to give and the endurance of unspeakable suffering.

I felt I did my part to encourage the Republican ticket to those who were undecided. I talked to coworkers and friends, presented them with facts and statistics, based on information I had read with validated documentation. Some listened, some didn't. That's fine and that's the beauty of the American way of life, to be able to express one's opinion without fear of recrimination.

However, to be met with ridicule and sarcastic disdain for everything I believe in makes me angry. When I approached one family member in particular with what I believed and what I had learned, I was labeled an extremist who is easily influenced by the things I read. Never mind that what I did read was written by people who know a whole lot more about politics than I do.

Another family member, on the other hand, who supported Senator Obama as well, took the time to listen to my opinions, respected my views, and understood my concerns. Interesting how two people with the same blood can be so different. I'm grateful the more rational - and considerate - person also happens to be the younger one! It restores my faith in the potential of our youth.

I'm new at this political game. I never cared much before about who won an election. I voted, sure, but if the opposing party lost, it was not a big issue for me. This time, there was so much at stake, the very essence of what I believe in, that it became extremely important to me.

I believe in this country and will support our new president with prayer, just like I did our past presidents. I probably won't agree with many of his policies, but I will trust that our country is in God's hands and that whatever fate He holds for us will come to pass. I like to think that voters looked to their Creator for guidance before going to the polls, that they searched their hearts and cast their ballot for the person they truly believed would do the best possible job of leading our country into a bright and prosperous future.

However, I fear many responded to the current financial crisis, feelings of animosity toward our current president, and a simple lack of knowledge of where President-elect Obama stands on certain issues that should touch the heart and soul of every citizen.

I sincerely hope that our 44th president is the best president America has ever had. I pray that he restores economic balance to our nation, that he has the diplomatic ability to face down our enemies and that he can bring our educational system back to a high standard. Most of all, I pray he is humble enough to look to God for guidance through the tumultuous storms he will face these next four years.

I'm in that stage now of forgiving all those things that were said pre-election. For one thing, it's what Jesus tells us to do. For another, I never was the type who could stay angry for long. However, I can't help but feel a tiny bit of satisfaction as I wonder: did all that resentment of my view come, maybe, from a fear that I knew what I was talking about?

God bless America!

vote America!

Welcome back to Patti's porch. It was a warm day here in SE Colorado, and I've been taking a walk for the past three or four days. There's been snow in the mountains, and I heard even a few flurries sifted out of the sky here the other day. I wonder what this winter holds in store.

My thoughts turn more seriously to the "storm" that is sweeping our country. Although hurricanes, tornadoes, fires, and all manner of other destructive forces have ravaged our land over the past few years, the decision the American people will make within the next week may have much more far-reaching implications.

Perhaps it won't. I don't know enough about politics to understand how much one party's dominance in the White House will affect the daily life of the average person. I only know that I have been more involved in researching the candidates and the issues than ever before.

This year, my husband and I opted for mail-in ballots. Since Colorado has one of the longest ballots in the country this election, it took me a couple of hours out of the past two days to cast my votes. At least I was able to take the time to read the "blue" State Ballot Information Booklet and study the pros and cons of each ammendment before making my choices. Had I been standing in a ballot booth, I probably would have made some ill-informed and hasty choices. I do have the satisfaction of knowing I weighed the facts and based my decisions on what I thought was best for our state.

I have prayed harder during this election than any other year I have ever voted. I'm still participating in the praying for America initiative and that's exciting. As I pray for oeach individual state and the various needs of our country mentioned on the prayer map, I realize that I am not alone in this endeavor. Thousands of other Americans are praying with me, and that incites a great deal of hope and optimism for our great nation.

Some other things have been different for me this election year. Normally, I would ignore the political calls, but this time I have responded to every survey and poll, of which there have been several. I realize they don't determine a true picture of what the final outcome will be, since no poll can predict voter turn-out. Still, I find it exciting to have input into the whole process.

I have only heard one person make the statement that they don't care about the election, don't intend to vote, and really don't want to hear anything about it. Just about everyone has an opinion about this presidential race, and most of them are very strong.

Reminds me of an impending storm. I always feel a touch of excitement when there are severe thunderstorm warnings in our area. The lightning gets so intense sometimes that it looks like it's striking not a foot away from the front door. The wind picks up, the trees sway, rain pelts the windows, and you wonder what else lurks out there. A tornado maybe? We'd never see it coming.

That's the kind of feeling I have about the election. There is an electric charge, packed with power, and on its heels hovers the fear of what if? What if the American people choose the wrong man? What if our next president isn't competent to handle the financial crisis, the Iraq War, the War on Terror, or our growing crime rate, and any number of a hundred other problems that threaten our country?

I've been hearing over the past couple of days that Senator McCain is gaining, if ever so slightly, on Senator Obama's lead. The "swing" states continue to hang in the balance as both candidates put all their last ditch efforts into winning those states. The number of undecided voters is unknown, and, as the newscasters say, an awful lot can happen in five days.

Both of our presidential candidates have publicly proclaimed their Christian beliefs. They express different approaches to accomplishing the common goals of repairing the nation's weaknesses, meeting the needs of each individual citizen, and maintaining the delicate relationship between allied and hostile nations around the globe.

John 12:13 tells us that Jesus sought the counsel of His Heavenly Father in the face of an important decision. ".....Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, He called His disciples to Him and chose twelve of them, whom He also designated apostles." The decision to choose those who would carry on His work must have weighed heavy on Jesus heart. He knew what was at stake and He held Himself accountable for the choice He would make.

We, too, must hold ourselves accountable as we cast our votes for the future leaders of our nation. It is not a responsibility to be taken lightly. Make the time, before casting your vote, to do as Jesus did and seek the wisdom and discernment that only the Lord can give.

God bless America!

Thanks for reading my blog!

PRAYING FOR AMERICA

I’m usually not a politically minded person. In the past, I always had a pretty good idea who I was going to vote for in the presidential election. A registered independent, I have voted both the Republican and Democratic ticket over the years.

I live in a “swing” state, so never has my vote been more crucial than this year. Both candidates have visited our state on more than one occasion. Unfortunately, I did not make it to any of those events, but I am following more closely than ever the newspapers, the debates, and the tide of public opinion.

I’m not going to make any particular political statement here, but I will say that I am leaning toward one side more than the other. That is due to the time I have spent in prayer about the issue, for the choice I have to make weighs heavy on my heart.

Many around me disagree with my choice, including some immediate family members. My most fervent prayer is for discernment to make the choice God would have me make in the best interest of our country.

Our pastor introduced us to something very exciting on Sunday called Praying for America. Those of us who chose to sign a commitment card were given a “map” to follow, which gives simple instructions on who and what to pray for over the next thirty days. Over that period of time, we will have prayed for all 50 states, our political leaders, individual citizens, and many more things.

I encourage anyone who may be interested in this to check out www.Praying4America.com, where the pamphlets and other materials can be obtained. I’m sure it’s not too late to order, and even though you may get started with the program a few days late (the start date was Oct 6), it would be well worth it. Even two or three weeks of daily prayer for our country with heartfelt and specific intercession can do wonders. We all know that because we know what a wondrous God we serve, and if thousands are praying for the good of our country, we know He will listen.

I urge everyone who reads this to spend time in earnest and centered prayer before going to the polls. We have less than a month to make a decision that will impact our country, one way or another, for many years to come.
God bless America!

Thanks for reading my blog.