A Word About Politics

Every three to four years I become extremely glued to politics. I did major in political science, after all. Perhaps if I'd come from a politically inactive family, it would have been different, but the truth is, we all invest ourselves heavily in it in my family, sometimes to our detriment. My father is a staunch Republican and my sister and I used to be as well. After her divorce my sister jumped ship on the Republicans, who aren't known for their gentleness or support of the downtrodden.

My mother and step-father have always been militant Democrats and with my sister now following suit, I don't dare bring up politics in my semi-regular email contact with her. I happen to agree with most Republican principles, but mostly I vote Republican because they support the unborn and champion people helping people, which is God's way as well.

I've never been interested in changing anyone's politics, however. I enjoy studying politics, not discussing it. The White House does well to change parties every four to eight years because good government requires a balance, just like a good marriage requires balance. The generous spouse needs to be tempered by the fiscally conservative spouse, or nothing ever gets paid (or saved).

I'm careful to tell my boys--who seem to be developing into Republicans--that they need to think carefully about the issues and come to their own conclusions. They owe no loyalty to their parents in terms of party affiliation or philosophy. I want them to leave our home with their heads full of their own, carefully considered positions.

Paul seems to have inherited the political gene. He spent hours studying the issues and watching the debates with me. His attention to and passion for the process amazed me. I was the same at his age, though I didn't have as many resources to learn from. Young people like Paul--who very early have a passion for the process--sometimes grow up to run for public office, as Marco Rubio did at age 26, winning a local race in Florida.

Paul has a gifted intelligence and a magnetic personality, so we'll see what happens.

When, last Tuesday, Marco Rubio suspended his campaign, Paul and I cried. Marco was our guy--someone who was conservative but loved immigrants, loved the unborn, admitted when he was wrong, openly spoke about his faith, loved his family, worked and fought hard, and spoke with vision and hope.

The next morning, March 16, I knew that I had to help Paul move on. He had gone to bed the night before still in tears, depressed.

"I didn't know politics could be so depressing," he offered as I kissed him goodnight.

It truly can be, as so many Americans are feeling this season, with the rise of Donald Trump. Perhaps I don't need to say...we align ourselves with the NeverTrump crowd.

Here is what China thinks about Trump. He's making enemies globally, and he's not even a nominee yet.

I shudder to think of what's to come, but as I told my son...our hope is not in politics. It's not in a single person, either, or in a single political party.

We can trust the Lord in all seasons. He puts leaders in place and we can trust his plan. The Republican party may not have a plan right now, but God does. We can trust that no matter what, He loves us and works all things for our good, for the good of those who love him...who are called according to his purpose.

It's good to know the issues, to know the candidates, to know the process. It's good to exercise the privileges open to us as citizens of a republic. We are blessed to be a part of this great nation. If we are losing any of our greatness, it's because we've taken God out of our lives, not because we have bad trade deals or open borders. The drugs, the addictions, the panic and hopelessness, the emphasis on jobs and the economy over morals and decency? These loom so large because God has become so small to us. Trump can only look like a savior to those who don't know what true Hope is. It's not in negotiation or in isolation. It's not in the empty, contradictory rhetoric of a bully.

Hope is Jesus Christ, resurrected, his blood shed for all, his presence in Heaven preparing a place for all who believe.

Remember, we are citizens of Heaven first...followers of Jesus Christ. We can't put aside our Bibles and our prayers for any season. They ground us in Him. They help us remember to whom we really pledge allegiance, above all other people or interests or passions.

God willing, someone will be sworn in as President next January, appointed by our Almighty Father. And no matter who it is, we can wake up and smile, knowing the Lord is our strength and our song.

Psalm 27:1 “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?”

2 Timothy 1:7 “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

Romans 12:12 Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer.

Romans 15:13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope.

outside, inside

Outside my window:  The prettiest, wettest snow of the season has fallen in the last twelve hours.  Wet snow lingers on the trees longer, bringing beauty and thanksgiving to all except the most die-hard winter haters.  I love all the seasons, except the mud one.  This snow brings temporary relief to a flooded, muddied yard, not fit for use.

This is an older picture.  We find it so funny that this squirrel decided to use our milk carton bird feeder to give himself shelter from the rain.  Preceding today's snow, we had several days of rain.  

Peter has checked out a myriad of birding and gardening books from the library (he's in obsessive mode with his new interests).  One of the things we learned is that each squirrel will typically eat 200 birds a year, including many bird eggs.  This is becoming a problem as humans change natural landscapes, making fewer nesting areas available to birds.  We simply have fewer birds now, which is a sad and serious problem for us nature lovers. If you and your kids are interested, you can check out books from the library to help you create a bird-friendly backyard.  

Inside my heart:  Peter's various neurological problems occur in cycles.  In the past three days we've moved out of an OCD cycle and entered a stressful ADHD cycle.  The ADHD cycles are the worst for the entire family, leaving Momma clinging to these truths:  God is good all the time.  God only gives good gifts.

Romans 8:28 And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.


Inside my head: At the table I've been reading A Child's Garden of Verses, by Robert Louis Stevenson.  Stevenson also wrote Treasure Island and Strange Case of Dr Jekyll and Mr. Hyde, as well as other less famous works.  While Stevenson was famous in his lifetime (1850 - 1894), his work was undervalued in the 20th century by Virginia Woolf and others.  Only in the late 20th Century did Stevenson gain respect in the scholarly world.  


Worldwide though, his work was always appreciated.  He is ranked the 28th most translated author in the world.  Here is his biography, which I read this morning.  I am struck by the number of famous authors who had messy, unconventional personal lives.  Does the messiness contribute to genius, or does genius contribute to the messiness?  It's an interesting question I'll delve into more as I continue to study authors' biographies.  Fewer female authors have colorful histories, but perhaps I've just studied fewer women thus far.    


Also inside my head:  My husband used to be a staunch Republican, except that he lacked strong support for big businesses, like the oil industry. Now that we've experienced such low times economically, he has changed his political views, although because of his pro-life status, he will not change political parties, understandably.  The capitalism we have now, he opines, is corrupt capitalism.  It was never intended to be led by monopolies.


For my part, I have become almost apolitical--though still believing strongly in my vote.  I see clearly that politics isn't the answer.  Greed and godlessness are the problem.  Obviously, politics can't fix the heart.  One side thinks the poor should--and can--magically become middle class, and the other side wants to help the poor, while also brainwashing the citizenry into moral relativism.  Jesus says we will always have the poor.  


Matthew 26:10-11
Aware of this, Jesus said to them, “Why are you bothering this woman? She has done a beautiful thing to me. The poor you will always have with you, but you will not always have me.


If we were a less godless, greedy nation, government intervention to help the poor wouldn't be necessary; the "haves" would help the "have-nots" within the community, through tithes and offerings.  Waste and corruption in the use of funds would be far less of a problem without governmental involvement.  


Both sides need the Word of God--real Truth.  While many people in America claim to be Christian, few live that way, which explains our descent into godlessness.  Those with a truly Biblical worldview probably number around 10% of the population--something I'll hopefully support with statistics soon.

I voted!

Mommy and Daddy proudly posing for Peter, who took an election day, "I voted!" picture

a warning

I found this on the Large Family Mothering Blog.  Jon Voight warns us about Barack Obama's agenda.

This is not a fringe groups' beliefs.  This is really happening!

bill o'reilly defending sarah palin

I was appalled at the Bill O'Reilly guest in this interview about Sarah Palin.  The woman makes the most ridiculous argument!  Bill handled himself very well.

Palin haters really get on my nerves.  Argh!