Post 2012 Election Thoughts

Jesus is here in our midst in the form of his Holy Spirit.  The Spirit walks with us and acts through us if we invite Him in.  The Spirit gives us joy and peace and that's certainly what I will be asking for today.  Last night I had my pity party and was all doom and gloom, but today the sun came up and His light shines brighter than ever, maybe not outside but in our souls.  Let's tap into His light together by praying more, hoping more and worrying less.  How?  Find a quiet place and seek Him in the silence, so your soul will be refreshed.  Share your disappointment, anger and fears with Him and ask Him to help you to be free of them.  I can't seem to get rid of those negative emotions myself, but if I ask humbly in prayer He comes and lightens my mood while flooding my soul with His goodness and light.  When we waiver during the day and the anger, worry and resentment return then simply say Jesus I trust in you and the inner peace will return.  I know this works, but it's hard to follow through with it in the moment because our human nature seems to always choose despair or ice cream.  Well, at least my nature anyway.

Here is the first reading from today.  How appropriate and joyful for this day in particular.

Philippians 2:12-18

My Beloved, obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more now when I am absent, work our your salvation with fear and trembling. For God is the One Who, for His good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work. Do everything without grumbling or questioning, that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine like lights in the world, as you hold on to the word of life, so that my boast for the day of Christ may be that I did not run in vain or labor in vain. But, even if I am poured out as a libation upon the sacrificial service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with all of you. In the same way you also should rejoice and share your joy with me.

That's my man Paul.  Let's look for ways to rejoice today.  Pray even harder and hope even more, because He has already won the battle for us when he was nailed to the cross and rose again.  Rejoice!  Do everything without grumbling or questioning.  Whoa!  Now there's a challenge.  Let's hope I'll be too busy rejoicing to grumble about or question the results of the election.  Who's ready to dig deep?  Ready, set, go.....

My Poo Don't Stink

It's election night and my thoughts are these, no matter who wins the presidential race both sides have much work to do in order to work together towards peace and unity.  I say this not only in regard to the branches of our government, but in my own personal life as well.  I don't know about you, but my Facebook page has been very uncomfortable the last few months, and I fear I have lost a few good friends.  Conservatives tend to be judgemental and self righteous, myself included on a bad day.  Since beginning a quest to become an orthodox Catholic, I sometimes am perceived to think that my poo don't stink.  I don't lose any sleep over this since I think liberals tend to be disrespectful and angry.  When reading political blogs and watching news casts on TV, I'm disheartened because of the name calling and blame game being played on both sides of the fence.

We are Americans who love our country, and we want what's best for ourselves, our family and our homeland.  Tomorrow will be a new beginning with those people we may have grown apart from during this election season because of a difference in opinion regarding religion and politics.  Whoever the next president of the United States is, I will remain proud to be an American and steadfast in my relationships.  Do I regret sharing my beliefs and opinions?  No, I don't.  I do regret a harsh tone or a poor word choice that may have offended others.  I'm happy I cast my vote today for life and religious freedom, but I am aware that both sides are broken, corrupt.  Tomorrow I hope I can look forward to a new beginning for our country and a new beginning with friends.  By the way, I know my poo stinks too.