Well, I’m sitting on my couch weeping like a baby after listening to Hillary Clinton’s concession speech. I’m just so damn sad and so deeply disappointed.
I have wanted a woman president my entire life.
At the start of this election season, I wasn’t eager for the first woman president to be Hillary Clinton, but as time went by, I realized she had some incredibly admirable qualities, and let’s face it, pioneers are rarely appreciated for their warm fuzzies. Pioneers hack out a trail for others to follow behind. They forge a way that’s new. They have to be strong and resilient, unflinching. Hillary Clinton is all those things, and she has certainly trail-blazed. Thank you, Secretary Clinton, for your stalwart way, for finding the line that you stood on and rallying us to that line and for being an example of a strong woman who does not give up or give in, and who concedes with grace and dignity and kindness, never forgetting your message. You may have your faults, but from where I stand, they’re remarkably more balanced than the president elect’s.
I had no idea Donald Trump appealed to so many. Boy, was I naive. Talk about a bubble.
This morning, I was about ready to scream from the rafters until I listened to Hillary Clinton’s concession speech. She reminded me of some important words from scripture. We are not to grow weary in doing good. So, we have our work to do.
The slogan from my Sacred Ordinary Days planner says… Our Works is Our Prayer, and Our Prayer is Our Work.
I am a practicing Christian. At the heart of my faith is the belief that God hears my cry, that God lifts up the low and weary, and God helps us if we call out for help.
My Prayer: Okay God, consider this my SOS! Please help. Help me find a way to respect and pray for Donald Trump. Please give me some of your perspective, because this is beyond me. Help me to have compassion and kindness and mercy. Show me how to stand up for what I believe in without being a pain in the ass. Help me not bury my head in the sand or get cynical and pissed off. Help me find creative ways to build bridges and care for my neighbors, to help the hurting and the tired, to stand up and speak on behalf of the voiceless. AMEN.
My Work: Tonight, I’m going to go and listen to my daughter play her saxophone in a school concert. This is God’s grace in my life, the manifestation of God’s faithfulness and tender goodness. Then, I’m going to buy some comfort food, and laugh with my kids and remember we’re in this together. At the end of my day, my dear John is going to pray with me before I go to bed, and boy do his prayers help calm my heart. I may not know the future, but I have a voice and the ability to stand up for what I believe in, and I do know who holds the future. I’ve learned God is always up to something. I won’t underestimate God’s creativity. I’ve got great friends and family on both sides of this, and though we disagree on who the President should be, we don’t disagree that we love one another and believe in freedom. I’m going to bank on that this morning.
I’m also going to write down five creative ways I can help the people who might be afraid this morning and worried about their future. I’ll let you know how that goes.
Pass the Peace People …
Before results started to come in last night, I ordered two books by N.T. Wright. You introduced me to that wonderful author years ago. Maybe my head had a premonition of what my heart would need the next few months. I plan to shut off Facebook and CNN for a bit. Instead of reading online comments and getting sad or angry, I am going to use my energy to be a better wife and mother. I plan to love my neighbor a little more and serve my community in the ways that I know how. I will teach my boys to respect the Office of the President but also vow to protect people in need if things go south. Some of the votes came from hatred but a lot of people are scared, lonely and disenfranchised. I will continue to believe in the inherent good in humans while looking out for evil and staying vigilant. I think that is all we can do. And pray and pray and pray and pray.
Good words from a wise friend. Thank you. Thank you. People are certainly scared. We will do our part. Our work is our prayer, Our prayer is our work.
This is a beautiful perspective. What a privilege to walk this one out with you by my side!
I’m glad we’re in it together. So thankful you are strong in mind and heart, together.
You’re not kidding about that bubble. Sigh. Thank you for these beautiful words of encouragement. Love to you and yours. Ours, now, more than ever. We have to belong to each other, something I felt in the camaraderie of my grieving neighbors last night.
That’s right. We have to belong to each other. Love you …
Thank you for your heartfelt article, Tina. It is encouraging.