Here we are again, almost time for elections, online discussions getting heated. On the one hand, I appreciate the passion people have for our country. I learn from their posts. I believe they really have a place in this world, to challenge our minds and our points of view. Or actually reinforce what we already know and believe. On the other, I understand how things can get out of hand and how important it is to maintain respect. I witnessed debates, the arguing, the disrespect, the unfriending during our last elections. And I’m seeing it again now.
Our eldest daughter is going to be voting in the presidential elections after next year’s, and I was wondering…. What if our family were divided on who to vote for? What if she expresses her support for someone I am not in favor of? What if she has a different opinion from mine? Will we have heated discussions at home too? Will we walk away or cut ties from each other, and then just reconnect after elections?
By that time, she would obviously be an adult, and she can already make her own decisions. My job as a parent is to teach, impart, and yes influence. Should I force her to make the same choices as mine? As if my choice is the only right one. Can I get mad at her, intimidate her for not adopting my point of view? Sure I can, but I don’t think that would sway her to see it my way. It might make her resolve even stronger. Should I attack her or mock her when she expresses an idea that I am taken aback by?
I will share what I think is right, present facts, but I cannot be so passionate that I forget wisdom, love, and grace. Lord help me! 😂 There has to be room for the Lord to work. In her and in me. I cannot control her choices because she is her own person. I must respect that. She has her own relationship with God and I would hope that she prays for major decisions like this and I need to trust that she is listening to the Lord too. I will have the very difficult but necessary task, of not taking it personally, and loving her anyway.
The way I respond will matter more than who I vote for. Because honestly, I have used my right to vote ever since I could vote. And none of the candidates I voted for ever became president. I still believe in not wasting my right. I still believe that my vote matters. And my only choice is to trust the election process and trust the Lord for the results. I believe no matter what I do, He is still in control of everything. The only control I have is over my own choices and my own responses.
And I believe the most significant impact I make is in my smallest circle, my family. The impact I will make with my presidential choice, yes, because though it does not reflect ALL of my values or represent EVERYTHING I value, it does reflect some. But more importantly, the impact I will make with how I conduct myself when talking about the presidentiables. With how much Christlikeness or how little is seen in me when I communicate to my children and to other people with regards to the elections. Because what I hope to teach to my kids the most, by words and by example, is the love of Jesus, obeying Him, honoring Him with our lives, and trusting in His ways. THE LEGACY I WANT TO LEAVE MY CHILDREN IS JESUS, not my presidential bet.
I hope in our families, in our spiritual families as well, we consider this. We are family. We are all connected through Christ. Remember that it is His name we represent. We are first a Christian. Our nationality, race, family name, school, organization, political affiliations, etcetera are all secondary. OUR LOYALTY IS FIRST TO CHRIST.
You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your might. And these words that I command you today shall be on your heart. You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise. Deut 6:5-7
“May he equip you with all you need for doing his will. May he produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, every good thing that is pleasing to him. All glory to him forever and ever! Amen.” Hebrews 13:21 NLT
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