I was recently asked to speak on Living in Thanksgiving Daily during Church services the Sunday after, well, Thanksgiving. My husband often laughs at me and how far in advance I feel the need to prepare. On Tuesday after voting, I felt very strongly that I needed to begin the process of writing down my speech. I was overwhelmed with thoughts and ideas, and things just flowed onto the paper. I have been re reading a beloved book from my bookshelf, One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. It is so poignant to read at Thanksgiving time, and, quite frankly, any time. Her prose and thoughts are inspirational and the Spirit flowed from my fingertips and onto my computer screen. I was pleased with what I had accomplished but, not yet finished, I set it aside.
Later, the election results began pouring in over the air waves. I sat riveted in suspense like a horror movie, and was brought to my knees in tears. I don't want this to be a political post. I do not hate Obama. But, I am worried about the direction our bankrupting nation is going, the debt feels like a burden alone on my back...enslavement. I am sad at how the morals of our society are falling and crumbling away. People scream women's rights, but I never felt my rights were threatened. What right? The right to murder innocent babies? The health care idea was a good one, but as it is being implemented, it is not. My father has now been denied hip replacement surgery because, at 69, he has been deemed too old by the government. A dear friend a 2 x open heart patient went to the pharmacy to have her heart meds refilled and was told, "sorry under the new Obamacare laws the government needs to approve this." Three to 14 days without precious medication and depending on their answer...I know he said there are no "death panels", but there is someone deciding who is worth it and who isn't. Yes, I cried.....I wonder what will be left for our children? I went to bed with no hope, and "I thought to myself, "it's a good thing I wrote that piece today..."
I awoke with no hope, as well. This is not me, I am always a glass half full, optimistic, look on the bright side kind of person. I didn't want to get out of bed, but my dear husband told me I had to, we still have a daughter. Slowly, I trudged through the morning with my brain in a fog, not sure of the direction the Lord would want me to go...As I was driving to work, I thought to myself, "What would Ann do?" Then before I finished that thought, I noticed the most spectacular sunrise...The kind that might take your breath away. And there was my gift from the Father. There is always hope through Him. No one can take away all of my freedoms. I am free to love and be loved. I am free to choose happiness and I am free to follow Him.
***I was not compensated for mentioning the book One Thousand Gifts.
I just like the book and wanted to share my thoughts on it.***
I hope you share your talk with us. I would love to read it! I have been in the process of writing a couple of posts for Real Intent about counting blessings and Eucharisteo before the election. When the results came in I had to remind myself of the hymn "When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed, when you are discouraged thinking all is lost, count your many blessings; name them one by one, and it will surprise you what the Lord has done." Sounds like we had a similar reaction! :)
ReplyDeleteI'm very concerned with the moral direction of our country, to decide who is vital enough to receive health care is just the tip of an iceberg ... it makes me sad. It makes a lot of people sad. And yet, none of the sad people seem to be in charge. :( I say just take it one day at a time, because we can find joy in the journey on a daily basis. A lot of the little wonderful things like warm clean running water and shampoo and clean sheets, when we remember them, can bring us a lot of relief and a little bit of joy. The kindness we show one another is something that no one can take away from us in any condition. And I'm so thankful to know that death is not the end, when that time comes, and that after death we will not be governed by misguided men.
ReplyDeleteI am sitting at my desk eating my leftover Chinese reading your post and tears came to my eyes. I know exactly how you feel. I was sad and disappointed by the results also. I fear my children that I don't even have yet! But...we cannot let fear get in the way of anything! We must press-forward holding onto the iron-rod trust our Father in Heaven, prepare, and endure what lies ahead...not just endure it but endure it well. He has a plan for everything. I feel like this just means that the 2nd coming is just that much closer. Josh and I have always talked about having our home be a safe haven from the rest of the world, gathering food storages and stand in holy places. We can get through ANYTHING with our help from the Lord!! You are in my thoughts and prayers :)
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