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It makes my heart happy.
I love that my daughter, even though she doesn't know why, loves her country. Her excitement is catching. It also makes her dad happy because his favorite holiday is Independence Day.
But in this day and age, I have to wonder what has happened to our country. With the way things are going, is there going to be anything for her to be proud of in regards to this country when she is an adult.
I have been interested in politics since my senior year of high school when I took Government AP with Mr. James. He made people think, the work was hard, the class a challenge. If you said you stood for something, or believed in something, you had to have a reason. And because it was what you were raised to believe, or how your parent's believed was not enough for him. He challenged every student to think for themselves and form their own opinions. To do research. Now if after studying, and reflecting you still held the same beliefs and opinions he would leave you be. But you had to put effort into what you thought.
I vote - every election that I can - I vote. As the years have gone by I have done more and more research and feel that with every elections I am more and more informed. I have matured in my voting knowledge and skill. Some elections I have felt at a loss, unsure of who to truly vote for. Other elections I have felt confident with whom I voted for. In fact, in order to make sure I get my vote in I always early vote (missed it once and had to vote on election day and it was horrible!). And, odd as it sounds, I always take my children with me. I have taken them with strollers, wrapped in my Moby, and clinging to my legs. I want them to know about voting and if they have questions, mostly my daughter, I get to explain what I am doing and why it is important.
Then there is this election.
I was flabbergasted that there were 17 nominees for the Republican ticket last year. Now I loved that Ted Cruz was in the running, and I threw my hat behind him. I was more than a bit disappointed when he dropped out. There were a few other candidates that I was okay with if they were the eventual nominee. All that to say - none of them, even Ted Cruz, are perfect, they are all flawed individuals. but I was willing to go along with the party platform for almost any of the nominees.
I will confess, I thought Donald Trump running was a publicity stunt. I did not fathom that he was serious about running. So when he became the Republican nominee....well, I was floored. I never cared for his show, or for him. He has always been rash, rude and crude in my opinion. And to think that he is who was selected, it has had me thinking, praying, and researching for months.
I will say, without a doubt, I will not vote for Hillary Clinton. That woman is deplorable, and minus being a woman and from America, in my opinion embodies all the characteristics of the anti-Christ. Through over a year of study in the Book of Revelation I know she is not the anti-Christ, but the Bible does tell of people embodying characteristics of the anti-Christ, but as bad as they are, they are not The Anti-Christ. Mrs. Clinton is a liar, does not care about others, has no regard for life (unborn or soldiers), and believes she can do what she wants. In fact, she does do what she wants, and those who can do anything about her corruption have let her get away with it all.
So, many would naturally assume that since I will not vote for Mrs. Clinton I must be voting for Trump. After Ted Cruz dropped out I was really convicted on being held accountable for my vote to God. I have hated voting "the lesser of two evils" for so many years past, and had hoped this year I would be able to vote in good conscience. But with the options presented...there is no lesser evil. It is evil vs. evil and America is the loser. I cannot vote Trump. For about a month I thought that I could swallow my indignation and cast my vote for him, but I cannot deny what he is: a lost man, a philanderer, a chauvinist, disregarder of personal rights, rude, crude...he is deplorable. Not his voters, he himself is the deplorable.
Now, what am I going to do? I have heard it preached from the mountain tops that if I don't cast my vote for Trump I am giving my vote to Hillary. And vice versa. I am contemplating leaving that section of my election ballot blank. I just recently was made aware of Darrell Castle. I am doing my research, so maybe, just maybe I can "vote" for someone. But I have resolved that I will not vote for Trump or Clinton. And I know people will be upset saying am giving my vote away, that I am part of the problem. No people. The problem is our world is broken and needs Jesus. Too many individuals are putting their faith in flawed individuals and not in Jesus. No matter who wins this election (if Trump or Clinton I believe America loses for the next four years), Jesus is who my faith is in. And when I get to heaven and have to give an account for my actions, I will in good peace say I did not vote for either.
So, 20 years from now, when my daughter is in her mid-20's, what will she have to be proud of in regards to her country? I don't know. But I do know that because of the circus this election has become, more people are registering to vote, and more people appear to be getting engaged. Liberalism and progressivism have chipped away at the foundation that started our country. As I grew up I never imagined the issues (social, political, spiritual)that we are currently facing. Covergirl has their first male spokesman, Christian bakers are shut down for not wanting to make a "wedding" cake for a lesbian couple, communities are destroying themselves because cops defend themselves from someone shooting at them, and a known liar and a t.v. personality are running for president. I don't know if to cry, laugh or both. Right now I am still in shock.
So how can we make sure that my daughter, and the all generations to come are proud of America when they get older? the Bible holds the answer:
2 Chronicles 7:14 (ESV)
14 if my people who are called by my name humble themselves, and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and heal their land.
America was founded with a person's faith in mind. People, we must pray. We need to return to our first love God. We need to develop our relationship with him. We need to serve him, seek him, and live for him. And while many people may proclaim to be believers, they have no fruit to show for it. We are known by the fruits we produce:
Galatians 5:22-23 (ESV)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
Matthew 7:15-20 (ESV)
15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.
America is rotting. We are not longer producing spiritual fruit. If we want our children to grow up and have a country they can love, we need to get our knees and pray. We need to do as the Prophet Isaiah told us:
Isaiah 55:6 (NKJV)
6 Seek the Lord while He may be found,
Call upon Him while He is near.
Call upon Him while He is near.
There will come a time when he will no longer hear us. I pray that it is not too late.
Amen
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