Well, That Was Short-Lived

(Our avoidance of the media, that is.)

Because, really, that's just not possible in these days and times. The first bit of our morning was spent catching up on what so many people stayed up to bear witness to, last night. We watched a portion of and then read McCain's concession speech and then did the same with Obama's victory speech.

It must have been thrilling to be at Grant Park, last night, is all I could keep thinking. And then I thought about the millions of people who truly believe this man can change our country. And I absolutely see that in his persona, his charisma, and his story - the influence he has had on this nation and those abroad already is unmistakable.

But. (Yeah, there's a but.) Whether it's ignorance or enlightenment, we both have a really hard time seeing beyond all of those things to understand how his policies will effect the type of change that will both progress and protect this country and her people. And despite the few riveting dialogues we have been a part of on both sides, we just don't get it.

It goes without saying that Obama (nor McCain) can fix what's wrong with this nation. And in a different slant, I also believe they both embody many of the characteristics of what is right with this nation. Now characteristics and policies, again, are two very different things. But we aren't naysayers, at least in the bigger picture, and we can't change anything about the results. We can say that in an ideal world, this whole thing wouldn't have even gone the way it has. But what's idealism?

I am thankful to live in this republic (democratic, as it may be) of a nation. I'm still proud to be an American. And I was proud under both Bushes and Clinton, too. (Unfortunately I wasn't completely cognizant, at the time, of the gift it was to have been born and spent my first couple of years of existence during the presidency of Reagan.)

And I hope for a greater day for all of us, though I just don't think it's here.

Goodnight

We aren't watching television tonight.

In fact, I might avoid the media (including a certain social networking site that has been overrun with over-exaggerated opinions today - from both sides) altogether tomorrow.

Because no matter who is elected President, tonight, we are not content.



If I find in myself a desire which no experience in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that I was made for another world... I must keep alive in myself the desire for my true country, which I shall not find till after death; I must never let it get snowed under or turned aside; I must make it the main object of life to press on to that other country and to help others to do the same. - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity

Politico Today

The following quotes were found via Erin via Aaron. Thanks friends.

A wise and frugal government, which shall leave men free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor and bread it has earned - this is the sum of good government. - Thomas Jefferson

We live in a democracy, a representative form of government, where it’s as much if not more our responsibility to love and take care of our neighbors than our politician’s responsibility. Real and lasting change comes from knowing and loving the folks who live in the houses that sit next to ours rather than saving all of our longing and hope for the voting booth. - Derek Webb


I'm a jumble of thoughts and emotions, today. We both are, really. Yesterday and today over breakfast we talked about the future of our country, as well as our future as a couple and as individuals. And I think, while I have some good thoughts on the matter - good enough for Cliff to ask me to blog about them - I just can't wrap my words around it all.

This day means a lot. But it doesn't mean everything.

Cliff and I believe that our liberties and freedom are first, alone, in Christ. And as Americans, we are blessed to live in a country that was founded on protecting (not just granting) freedoms that we are entitled to as humans. And while we, as the United States, are more alive with principles and philosophies of this very concept than most nations, we are not a "perfect union" and I don't believe we ever will be.

And I don't believe that whoever takes the helm of our country for the next four years, as decided by today's election, has the power to change things the way people have come to believe he (or possibly she, one day) can. Sure, change happens as a result of change in leadership. But change takes time, and ultimately, there's no answer or solution either of these two men can offer that's going to change the heart of people. And we, as citizens of a country and some of us, of a greater Kingdom, are those people.

I know people want something they can believe in. We do too.

But we don't believe it's McCain.
And we don't believe it's Obama.



We believe it's Love.
We believe in Love.


...because God is Love. - 1 John 4:8

Doing Our Civic Duty

And not having to wait in (that long of a) line to do it. Early voting is great, especially with all of these satellite locations Williamson County has all over the place. Cliff "made freedom count" yesterday at Prarie Life Fitness in Cool Springs, and I did so today at the Factory, in our friend's old site for her salon, none the less.

I have to admit, there's something kind of euphoric about voting. I think probably because in that seemingly small act you're making one voice join with many to make things happen or at least tell it like we think it should be.

No matter what the outcome, our votes count.

And that is something we will not take for granted.