March 23, 2010 10:45 AM
Political mayhem - how to cope?
I am so sorry. I've been too busy to get depressed about the political situation. But I know from my mail that some of you are struggling. I am off to two meetings at my kids' schools but want to rerun something that might help. More later:
A writer friend of mine from California left this as a comment, but I want to highlight it because it has relevance for everyone:I cried myself to sleep Tues. night after the election. I felt overwhelmed, betrayed, and fearful for my children's future.Yesterday a car pulled behind mine at the gas station. It had USMC on the plate so I walked over and introduced myself. I told the man my son had just returned with the Marines from Afghanistan and thanked him for his service. He told me he was a career Marine and had been in Korea and two deployments to Vietnam. It was there that he adopted his daughter.
Being the noisy reporter type I asked him how that came about. This is what he replied, "The second time I went I was an officer.Our headquarters were across from a Catholic orphanage. At one point I realized I cannot save this nation, but perhaps I could save the life of just one child."
I thought about that encounter and how it applies to the election.I am so overwhelmed with what I cannot do. Instead I should be thinking and praying about what I can do.
I may not be able to save the nation but with God's help ....
Thanks for letting me chime in,
Marci Seither
Does this resonate with you the way it does with me?
One of my personal heroes is Mother Teresa (along with Joan of Arc - two different ways of facing the world). For two years I've been wearing a bracelet which says:
One can do no great things, only small things with great love.
~Mother TeresaReminding myself of that several times a day may have helped in my acceptance of the things I cannot change.
There was much the post-election encouragement I wrote for you did not say. It did not speak of my own disappointment, the discipline involved in each day turning my heart from dwelling on that sadness to seeing God's work still going on around us.
God's work is in our hands. What this Marine said is so true:
I cannot save this nation, but perhaps I could save the life of just one child.I thank God that Marci gleaned this bit of wisdom and then shared it with us. See how God cares for us? We need to reach out to Him and ask Him what He wants us to do next.
I know we're busy, but how can we get involved in serving - wherever possible, with our children by our sides? How can we become more salt and more light? If you can get your hands on a copy, please read my Reaching the Left from the Right. It is all about how we can learn to live graciously in a world where we are misjudged - and often with good reason.
I wrote Friday of listening for the still, small voice. Let us each listen for that voice and see where God wants us to turn our attention next. In everything, give him thanks and praise. I don't mean that as a platitude but as a recipe for joy in even the worst circumstances, I have no idea what kind of world my children will be living in in 20 years (I said this 20 years ago - and think how the world has changed in the past 20 years), but what I do know is this: I want my children to have the faith and courage to handle whatever comes their way.
We have a chance once every four years to affect how our country is governed from the top. The things we hold dear may prevail or they may not. But God has graciously granted us opportunities every day to make a difference in the lives of others.
Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.
John 14:27
Posted in Inspiration, Mothering | Permalink
Comments
Wonderful post. Very timely (of which I am very short of, just wanted to add a note.)
Fear is a most ineffectual emotion. Fear is no place to start from when making decisions or plans. Be smart and informed. Be willing to do the hard stuff. Pray that God puts you in an opportunity to serve. You will honestly be amazed at how much God listens to you and what you can accomplish through Him.
Plans for the next election are already underway. What can you do to help? Stuff envelopes? Deliver literature? Host a woman's political group for coffee? Fund raise?
Think if we all did small things for one common goal. That is really powerful.
Posted by: kelly | March 23, 2010 11:24 AM
Thank you. This is exactly what I needed to hear today.
Posted by: Anne McD | March 23, 2010 11:38 AM
I would have to agree. I think the best advice I was given was to pray for the President. It doesn't help to be angry and critical, but service, even a little at time can change a lot one person at a time. Thanks for this post.
Posted by: Diane Robertson | March 23, 2010 12:01 PM
I always like to remember Jesus' words in John 16:33, "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world." Also the many admonitions for "patient endurance" and perseverance in Revelation.
Posted by: Peggy | March 23, 2010 2:56 PM
