I think we can all agree that we are tired of hearing about how this election has developed no matter what side of it, despite any stance you may have taken. In the last 24 hours, I have learned some eye-opening realities about the nation I’m fighting so hard to still recognize. This really isn’t about either candidate, to be honest. It’s about the effects of the election itself on the actual people of this country.
I have learned how unabashedly divided we are, regardless of how far we have come. There are moments in our nation’s history where we tend to come together for a cause or due to a devastating blow to our country’s armor. We forsake distance and contribute whatever empathy or resources we can. Then, there are moments like the present when we are ready to fight because of what we believe in and know to be our “truth.”
The problem with the aggression in this move is that there is not one person alive who believes that his or her opinions/beliefs/perspectives are irrelevant. The wonderful thing about our country is that we have the right to them. The problem with our country is the sense of entitlement that we have in using them to attack others.
I have learned that we are not only divided, but easily manipulated in any political party, manipulative in how we project our positions, and insensitive to the positions of others.
We spend so much time using what we believe to create a platform and instead of using that platform to help, educate, or encourage others, we’re using it to blow their constitutions to pieces.
Abortion. Such an ugly word, isn’t it? Most of us avoid the subject or cringe, especially parents. People post all over social media about how terrible it is and how these women don’t deserve life after it’s done. Then you find out your little sister had one and you had no idea, or your best friend, or someone else that you know and care about. You find out that the circumstances surrounding it, while likely could have been avoided and wasn’t, and they have died every day since. Every time you broadcast your hate for those women, you’re torturing them further, this person you seem to love.
Lesbian. Gay. Bisexual. Transgender. More words some people have discomfort over. It is not our jurisdiction to determine one person’s right to love another person, to determine someone’s identity for them. Yet, so many people take to social media to do nothing positive but only tear down the truths that so deservingly belong to someone else.
Does it feel good to know that in fighting for your cause, you’re destroying people around you? Of course not, and if it does, then you have a bigger problem.
The worst part about all of it–this fighting over the election, over one person’s morals and rights vs. that of another–is that I am watching people hurt people without even realizing it–even their friends. The saddest people of all are the ones who do it knowingly and do not care.
My daughter stood watching a concession speech today, and as distracted as her two-year-old mind is, she stood and watched the part that addressed women and young girls.
It was a profound moment to watch for a mother of a little girl.
My stance? I love Jesus. And because I love Jesus, I love people. I can’t imagine believing in anything that matters and using it to judge other people and possibly perpetuate their hurt further. I know that God holds the ultimate say, and He knew the road to and outcome of this process before any of us. He also knew the divide that would ensue because of it. I know that God loves me despite my shortcomings, despite my mistakes, despite any of my irresponsible choices. He loves every damaged and selfish part that makes me who I am–the parts that especially do not feel worthy of His love. He loves those too.
I pray for every American tonight. As much as we want to stand on our soapboxes, kicking and screaming our views until everyone agrees with us, we are all still in this fight together, finding a way to choose less hate and more love.
M
Blue Withens 