Election 2016 Postpartum (Actually I Don't Miss the Ads)

Wow. Let me start by saying that I did not see this outcome prior to some of the exit polls on Tuesday evening last week. I actually thought that Mrs. Clinton would win with about a 3% margin (48-45ish). Actually it looks like she has won the popular vote but obviously was defeated in the electoral college. That has happened before where a candidate has won the popular vote and lost the election due to the electoral vote. And just a reminder that the US is a Republic and not a democracy. The simple explanation of the differences is that a republic is a representative government ruled by law (the US Constitution) while a democracy is a government ruled by the majority. Here is a list:

1824 - John Quincy Adams
1876 - Rutherford B. Hayes
1888 - Benjamin Harrison
1960 - John F. Kennedy (disputed)
2000 - George W. Bush

I am not a political expert. I decided early on in this presidential race that I was going to abstain from making political comments on social media. I think that is best practice for me. I also will add that I was not able to vote for either of the major party candidates due to my own personal convictions. I do agree more with one party platform over the other, but I do not believe that either or perfect by any stretch.

I have friends who are legitimately scared by some of the things that have been said by President elect Trump and I have friends who would have been legitimately scared had Mrs. Clinton been elected. I hurt for those who are scared. I am choosing to get more involved in making this a safer place to live for everyone. I hope that I will be viewed as someone who is trying to mend relationships and tear down walls that only cause division.

And I firmly believe that we can love each other and actually like one another even though we have differing views. I have been asked if I think that God has clearly spoken about the direction of our country. I personally believe that God has been speaking for many years and too many times I have been distracted or refused to listen. I believe that God is more concerned about His Son being lifted up and glorified and I know that it is His desire that none should perish. The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance. 2 Peter 3:9 Let's not lose sight of what God has called us as believers to be involved in with our lives.

I know that as a believer that God has called me to join Him -  The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor.  He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the captives and recovery of sight for the blind, to set the oppressed free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor. Luke 4:18-19

I pray that I will not be guilty of loving America more than I love God or more than I love people. And I mean all people. Not just the ones I want to kind of love. I am grateful for the freedoms I experience as a citizen of this great nation. I am keenly aware that I can also make my rights as a citizen idols as well.

I commit to pray for President-elect Trump the same way that I committed to pray for President Obama eight years ago and renewed that commitment when he was re-elected in 2012.
You and I may disagree on issues. I really think that is okay. What is not okay is for me to withhold love and friendship toward you because I disagree with you.

I am praying for our nation. I am praying for you. I am praying for me.