If you have ever spent much time with elementary school
children you know that it is quite probable you will discover where their
parents stand on the people, in or running for, a particular political office. They speak with great candor and confidence
as the bash or support this powerful icon. I have yet to meet a 3rd
grader who understands foreign affairs, global warming, or military strategies,
yet they seem to know, unquestionably, what the person in office is doing wrong
in these areas on a given day. Why?
Because they hear the conversations of the grown-ups and take it as the gospel
truth and are more than willing to share it.
Conversely, it is almost as simple to guess the party of a
high school student’s parents by listening to them talk… because they will
often take the opposing party of their parents!
It’s natural for them to question. It’s normal for them to challenge. It
means they are learning to think on their own and draw conclusions based on
steering away from the status quo to find something that might work just a
little bit better than the “rut” into which adults struggle to see their way
out of.
I just wonder what would we hear on the playground from our
politically savvy kids if, rather than bashing the people in our government, we
were to take time every day to say a positive word about them and PRAY FOR THEM. What if we were to stop
and think before we talk, realizing that we have not walked in the shoes of our
leaders and don’t ever have all the details causing them to make the decisions
they make? What if our hearts were
attuned to God’s and we saw these candidates and public officials as God’s
children, who he loves? How would that change who our kids grow up to be? After
all, is it really so important to embrace a political agenda in light of the
significance of supporting the Great Commandment to love God and the second
greatest command, according to Jesus…. to love our neighbor as ourselves?
It’s primary election day in Indiana. I am going to the
polls to vote my conscience. Someone there will cancel out my vote. It is the
way of democracy. But, I vow to pray for the one who loses and the one who wins
and for all the little children who are listening to us. I will pray that our country can change for the better because
we are teaching our children to pray for, rather than criticize our leaders. It
actually takes less energy and leaves you a lot less agitated.
“Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient,
to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and
considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we too were
foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy,
being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love
of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things
we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of
rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us
generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified
by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This
is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those
who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is
good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. But
avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about
the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.” Titus 3:1-9 NIV
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