Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday yesterday on social media and through text messages. It was so kind of you to send me a message. I loved hearing from each of you. It was a different birthday I suppose due to CoVid concerns, but I still had a lovely day and hubby and I went out for some nachos, which is becoming my annual birthday treat. I love nachos but I don’t eat them very often. Of course we followed protocol and masked, and distanced, and washed well.

I like to take a few minutes each year around my birthday to think about all the good in my life, and all the hopes for the future. Here are a few…

Especially with the CoVid virus around, I am thankful that nobody in my immediate family has been infected with it so far. We have had some cousins and a few friends get it and thankfully they have beat it. Please be safe out there. Continue to mask, and social distance.

As a young person I could not have imagined what it would be like to become a grandmother, but here I am. I thank God for my twin grandsons and for the newest member of the family coming in March, a sweet little girl. One of my biggest joys at my age right now is seeing my daughters as mothers, and loving on my grandchildren. They keep me active – getting down on the floor to play, running races in the yard, and doing silly things that is good for the soul.

Also, When I was a young person I could never have imagined how my hubby and I would experience so much together Through the years, in so many places. We have moved and lived in many places but each time it has been a fun, new experience together. Oh, there were some headaches along the way, but we faced it together and we have always been a unified front.

At this age I am very happy to live where I do now, here in the Lowcountry, with one home and let me count… 5 pets! 2 dogs and 3 kitties. They are aging just as I am. I love them dearly and it’s hard to watch them age, especially Miss Honeybee as she struggles. I don’t know how much longer she will hang in there. She still seems to find happiness with us, so we take it day by day.

Friends. I have such a nice assortment of them! Thanks to Facebook I have reconnected with some from way back in my school days. My high school class has an active group. I have friends of all ages, from so many places – from places where we have lived. Church friends, neighbors, music connections, my daughters’ friends who I love, and even a few I have never physically met but we share similar interests.

My BFF – best friend forever. As I have aged I have kept a special relationship with Sue. I have written about her before. But, there is nothing better than to have that one girlfriend who has experienced all of life with you, and vice versa. She is the one person I can talk to and pick up right where we left off – without any hesitation. We have each other’s back – always. By the way, this is kind of interesting – but for me, there is something about the name Sue. It’s my sister’s name. My BBF is Sue. And, I have other dear friends named Sue and Suzanne.

I look back and think I have been so lucky to not have a major disaster, or twist, in my life. I have not had something that sent me reeling, that made me question God. I know it’s a bit unusual and it may change tomorrow. The closest I think I experienced was when my mother died. But her passing was not unexpected and she had been suffering and failing for awhile. When she went on to heaven I knew it was a blessing – for her. Maybe not for everyone else though.

I know my faith has kept me going. One good thing about aging (sometimes you have to look for them) is that my faith has grown through time. I thank my parents for the foundation. I was normal in my youth and teen years as in I was not putting time or effort into it, but getting married and having children brought me around. Church and knowing more about God became important. Once I started giving myself over to learning, and getting involved, it has continued to lead me. Looking back, I know my trust in God has brought me peace in tough times.

I certainly have had disappointments. I’m 63 years old now – lord knows it hasn’t always been peaches and cream!?! I wish some relationships were different. I wish I was stronger, or more caring. I have messed up for sure. But, with age comes the ability to sort it out and to ask for forgiveness. And – to forgive.

As I have aged I have seen the big picture better. I have become what I like to call a “Christian activist” – for causes that can make others’ lives better. I don’t stay silent when it comes to children, education, medical care, and gun safety. And, yes, it has made me become more political. For the first time in my life this past year I volunteered and worked for a political candidate. Some think I’m a bit over the top, but I like to think I’m passionate about the causes and making the country and world better and safer for my kids and grandkids. I want to make a difference.

I have always been an open book. I can’t lie. I can’t keep a secret very well. Most of the time I am happy that I am. Again, I thank my parents for instilling in me the value of honesty – of being who I am. But, it’s a word of warning – I have also been called too frank. I try to say things truthfully.

So – I guess it leads me to my hopes for the coming year. I think politically we are going to get back to more honesty. More dignity. I’m happy to see the change in our country’s leadership. I think back when I was a child, walking down the school hallway and seeing all the presidents pictures hanging in a row. The office of the presidency from a child’s perspective was awe-inspiring. I know as an adult I see the flaws, and I know so much more due to modern times with 24/7 talking heads. Blissful, ignorant days are over. But, I wonder if young children today look up to the president. Where are the heroes?

Also this coming year will bring a return to a new normal life once the CoVid vaccines get into everyone’s arms. I’m hopeful that by summer we can relax a bit and gather together again. I don’t think we should totally let down our guard though because we have learned how scary invisible virus bugs can change our world really quickly.

I’m confident that the coming year will be better – better for ALL people. I’m doing well anyway. I can’t complain. But, I’m hopeful that 2021 will be a year where changes will make those who have been struggling can get back to life.

We are in this together – so I am encouraged by what will come in the new year.

My new year – it’s looking pretty good!

Let there be peace on earth. it’s a phrase heard often before and at Christmas. This year I am thinking To myself ‘please God, let there be peace in the United States.’ I pray it as I read and see the news each day.

These days are very disturbing. It used to be we would hear about a lone wacko, or a psychologically off person, or even a small group of radicals – spewing hate and putting threats out there. But now post-the-election we are living in a country with a large group who seem ready to act out, who are using rhetoric to scare people, who are living in an alternative world abut the realities of the election results.

These people have decided to head to Parler, and they are talking about a ‘civil war’ if Trump doesn’t get to stay in office after January 20th. Yes, they watch only Fox, and they follow social media that aligns with what they want to believe. Four years of lies said as truth – said over and over again – and it has shifted their brains. Oh, they will never admit that they had ‘mind games’ played on them. But they have. Perhaps they were vulnerable in the beginning and like a hypnotist who can suggest things to innocent people on a stage show, I truly believe Trump supporters have had a mind-take-over.

How else can it be that such a large group has turned away from the very keys of democracy that they say they cherish? Trumpers talk out of both sides of their mouths. They love America, the constitution, the freedoms of the amendments… yet they are ready to go against the foundations of our country. They have been told we did not have a true, fair election and they believe it – without any proof. Their ‘leader’ has said it is so and they believe him. They are armed, loud, mad, and irrational. It is a scary combination.

So – picture this: We have this group all stirred up and ready to defy the facts of a fair election. They are bombarded with the false claims of stealing ballots, irregular machines, etc. It comes from their narcissistic leader who can’t stand to lose, and few in the Republican Party have the strength or will to go up against him. (Which is a total embarrassment of the party – I think they should all be voted out. )

Social media and Fox. They have had a big effect on bringing these people together. They have taken conservative values and turned them into ammunition. They have raised the temperature and I think Pretty soon something might explode. I hope I’m wrong. But…

I’m hunkered down due to CoVid but I’m also hunkered down because I am nervous about what is going to happen soon. It might be on the day of the official Electoral College vote and verification. It might be when Trump decides to give the word. Or, it might be on January 20th. But, I can guarantee that this large group of people who have been ‘trained’ over the past 4 years are going to do something.

It will not be peaceful. It will not be rational. It will not be pretty.

If you are a Republican but do not feel you are ‘one of them’ and you see what is happening – say something. Do something to calm the situation. It’s your party and it’s your family & friends who have gotten caught up in this. If you see it you have a responsibility to jump in. They sure won’t listen to me because they see me as a liberal snowflake, even though I am a moderate Democrat. As I said, they are hypnotized and can’t be rational. I am the ‘enemy’ and they think I am the one ‘drinking the Kool-aid’ and its the rhetoric they use all the time online. I can tell them that Biden will not take away their freedoms, or will Not turn us into a socialistic country, or will not tax them to high heaven – but they won’t believe it from me. It has to come from you.

I pray somehow sensible heads prevail. I pray the threats stop. I pray we get through this next month without a tragedy.

I pray for peace in the United States.

Are you like me and even after all these months of CoVid wondering if it’s all for real? Did you think in your lifetime you would ever have to experience a worldwide pandemic like this?

It sure makes me realize that life as we know it (or should I say ‘knew’ it) can change on a dime. Normal life is we knew it is gone. When the pandemic first came to the United States and our lives changed back in March I thought to myself ‘well this is weird but I can get through it for awhile.’ I didn’t know we would be here in December, here now, in the thick of the spread. If you listen to the mainstream news you will hear of hospitals at maximum capacity, and nurses & doctors begging people to wear masks and to stay away from others. They are drained. Family members of the sick are scared. Those who have died can not even get a usual ‘send off’ with a funeral. No normal closure.

Yet too many ignore it and continue their living as they did before the pandemic started. I saw on Facebook this morning a shared post from a farm/nursery business in Michigan where people were lined up around it waiting to go in and see Santa and nobody had on a mask. The company advertised that they were open because it is their freedom to do so – and they thanked all who came out, defying the warnings.

I can’t help but wonder if the mixed messages all along and the defiance of some Of the people And businesses have kept the CoVid virus going when it could have been shut down faster. I feel like they are making it worse, spreading the virus, and expanding the problems associated with it.

America – home of the free. Founded on freedoms.

A perfect storm hit America. Trump’s ‘lack of leadership’ And denial of it, and no plan ahead of time, and then ignoring the start of it when it came here…. think back on his early comments. He totally downplayed it and didn’t take the virus seriously. Then there were those mixed messages. The politicians vs. scientists. Who to believe?

So… here we are 9 months later, thousands dead from CoVid, millions more have been sick – and have tested positive with it. Some state governors again have to be the ‘bad guy’ and close businesses, and limit gatherings. I see the rants on social media. People are mad. People are still very defiant. Blaming others… and still touting personal freedom.

I have been very careful all along. But, I am questioning even more now about going to church, or really out to any events. Why take the chance? Why even put myself out there – and be a spreader? I have not been tested, and I don’t think I am positive. I’ve had no symptoms, but I am smart enough to know that any interaction is scary right now. I always wear a mask out. I still get back in my car and sanitize my hands after every time I go somewhere. Two weeks away from Christmas and I want to be healthy for it. So, I’m taking precautions. Christmas will be different – our close family members will be together, but we are not having extended family or friends with us. We are supposed to attend an out of state wedding right after the new year and we so badly want to go! But, I’m not sure if we will. It will require flying, staying in a hotel, being indoors together with wedding attendees. I feel so bad for the bride and groom. I can’t even imagine how they feel right now as CoVid continues to worsen.

So, it will be a pretty dismal winter – and spring. Yes – Soon the vaccine will be started here in the US, and after months of getting it out to us all, we WILL eventually return to a normal life. There is light at the end of the tunnel. But not yet.

I know I will get pushback on this statement: But I really wish America’s freedoms were not a priority right now. We need to stop the “I get to” language. When freedoms are not healthy to all, or are not fair to all… then they need to be invalid. I am tired of hearing that because someone lives in America they can do whatever they want. Freedoms of this country have been highjacked, and used to hurt others. It’s not right. Or moral.

The result is that the United States has become one of the worst CoVid countries on earth.

I don’t know about you but I am holding my breath right now, and saying a little prayer that nobody from our little Thanksgiving gathering gets sick. As my earlier post said, I tried to have people outdoors, and we ate on our porch and deck. We kept the group relatively small. Thankfully the weather was absolutely lovely and people could be comfortable outside. Still, I’m nervous. I hope that my family members who came together do not get CoVid. I would feel awful and I would really regret the day.

I know many of us our ‘holding our breath’ these days as we start to prep for Christmas now. The coming days and weeks are usually so active, with shopping, with dining with friends, having special cookie exchanges, concerts, company parties, and the like. Most events have been called off – or will be small and outside.

I know this sounds kind of strange, but I’m actually kind of happy that this year we have to tone down the preparing and partying. I usually stress in December – I’m usually thinking about making everything ‘right’ and trying to stay above all the commercialism. I think this year might be a bit easier to focus on the real meaning of Christmas, which is the coming of Jesus into the world, sent by God for us all. The newborn baby born in a simple stable to young parents – who were unsure but trusting. A child born in Bethlehem to teach us, to show us, to love us. We won’t have all the normal distractions this year. We won’t wear ourselves out running here and there. Expectations have been lowered this year. I’m kinda glad.

There is no doubt that 2020 will go down as a year of great turmoil because we faced so many challenges….CoVid effected jobs & livelihoods, and the economy, and it made thousands and thousands sick – and yes, thousands have died. It has changed our ways to gather, and to celebrate. And – It has been shown that we can’t always come together to conquer a hardship. In fact, CoVid has separated us even more – so much so politically, and By questioning truth and lies. 2020, for being a term for seeing through eyes with sharpness and clarity, has been exactly the opposite. We have lost belief and trust.

So – I’m holding my breath on what comes for the new year. I’m very hopeful for the vaccines that may get approved soon. I’m also hopeful because we will have a president that will calm us all down. I can’t imagine 2021 being harder then what we have already gone through. And, I know history and I know people suffer through times, and then come through It… and they come together again. I know we can do it.

So, this coming month is a month of waiting – of anticipating. Quietly, slowly preparing for Christmas. And, it’s a time to wait for a new outlook in America. It’s time to take A few deep breaths and let the days go by.

We are just a week away from Thanksgiving day and it’s 2020, and we are living in a CoVid world. I have been watching on the news all the stories of CoVid cases on the rise, and the reporters are now giving suggestions on how to celebrate Thanksgiving and still be safe. Some are saying just don’t gather at all. It’s only for one year and it’s not worth taking a chance for family members to get together and become infected.

I am a careful person. I listen to the reports and I know I have a responsibility to my family to do the right thing and I do not want to hold an event that might turn into a ‘super spreader’ day.

So, we will have 8 adults and 2 children – and here are my rules:

1. Temperatures will be taken.
2. Hand sanitizers will be placed in every room.
3. We will use the porch and be outdoors as much as possible. I hope we have a warm enough day. But, for those attending: bring a sweatshirt. We can have a fire going in the fire pit. We will have outside games set up.
4. Dinner will be served at 4:00pm – when it is still light outside and we can spread ourselves out to eat, on the porch and at the outside table. Inside I will spread out the seats at the dining room table. Don’t sit elbow to elbow with anyone please.
5. The food will be set up cafeteria style but I will use all paper plates and I will do the best I can that we not touch each others silverware and serving spoons. If I can, I will give you each your own serving spoon with your name on it, for only you to use.
6. At the end of the day – SANITIZE yourself well!

I know it’s weird to wear a mask in a small group but if you do, we are fine with it. We understand. It’s important to be safe!

I have thought about calling off the gathering, but I really really don’t want to at this point. I think we can make it work safely.

Also, think about what you are thankful for – despite everything that has gone on this crazy year. We will have a shout out to our blessings and all the goodness in our lives. We will take a moment to thank God for all He has given, and for His continuous love and His care over us.

CoVid Thanksgiving is going to be different this year at our house, and all around the country. And, CoVid Christmas will be different too. But, with all of us being careful, and with love for one another, we will be fine.

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

A new day has dawned – and not just this morning…. but every morning! I have to admit a dark period has ended, and although there is some random noise still happening, I am feeling much much better about the new year ahead.

There is hope on the CoVid vaccine front. A second company announced this morning that they are getting good results in testing and trials. Just hearing news of it brings a smile to my face because I know the elderly, and those with existing issues, And the care givers, will have a better chance Of survival. Not today – and not next month. But sometime in 2021 we might see a turn around in this pandemic. I probably won’t be in line for a vaccine for a long time – and that’s okay. I’m lucky to be healthy, and I can continue to safe distance. Some can not. I’m also feeling hopeful because… did you hear? We have a new president on the way and he has already started working on CoVid education, gathering science information, and looking to the best ways to keep the pandemic from spreading.

Yes, the other reason a new day has dawned IS because we have a new president on the way. Now that a week has gone by and the realization is sinking in, it’s given me a lift. I don’t feel the need to tune into the news constantly to see what craziness has been tweeted, or who has been fired. What lawsuits have been filed, or who else is to blame. I know that the New executive branch will have a restrained leader, and one who will calm our country down. Maybe the overt racism will slink back into hiding – and I’m okay with that. The daily bombardment of sleeze, accusations, and the general meanness will be going away.

I feel like the big bad ‘glitch’ of 2020 is almost over. I feel like enough Americans prevailed to keep our country going in the right direction. No, not towards socialism – as the right Republicans likes to proclaim. That was just a lot of false propaganda. We are a democratic country – founded that way – and staying that way – and we have shown in this election that we will not let foolish, ego-driven dictatorship rule us.

I hope these words and phrases disappear from our life: fake news, enemies of the state, best ever, never been like this before, make America great again, it was all Obama’s fault, and lock her/him/them up. I don’t need to hear them ever again.

I really don’t need to see a Trump flag ever again either. I prefer the American flag, and i look forward to it flying – for all. I realize the problems of this country won’t magically go away, and that there is tons of work ahead to unify, and to accept that everyone has the right to be patriotic without finger pointing, but I think we are on our way in the right direction.

I am hopeful on a personal front too because we have a new grandbaby on the way. This lady here likes nothing better than being a Mimi, and in spending time with the little ones. The twins have just turned 3 and hearing them say “Hi Mimi” over the phone is the sweetest sound ever. They can now tell me a little bit about their days… which include so much learning and first experiences. They are happy boys – and I can’t help but be happy around them. Babies and children give us all hope for the future.

A note for those who know about our pug Daisy getting hit by a truck a week ago today… She is an example of making the best out of a bad situation. She has a broken pelvic bone and got scrapped up on her belly and her back leg. It was a rough and scary evening when it happened. But, thanks to good medical treatment and to her ‘being a dog’ and taking it in stride, she is doing okay. She is eating, and she can hobble a few steps… when we take her outside to do her business. But, she mostly lays in her little bed, or by my side on the couch, and she is content. She needs time to heal back together, and she knows not to move too much. She is such a sweet dog – and we are so happy that she made it through the trauma of the event. Daisy doesn’t worry about tomorrow. And, she doesn’t have fear about healing completely. She is content as is.

I guess – Babies and dogs sure can keep life in perspective! I’m glad I have them in my life!

It’s a good morning… the start of a new day, and a new week… and more to come!

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

I knew I wanted to let a few days pass before writing about the election. I knew it would take a few days to get the result due to the large turnout, and such a close count. I applaud all the poll workers, and the counters, who were so diligent about keeping the election safe and accurate.

Yet, as expected, many people are whining and yelling about the results. Even the current president. Especially the president. Of course, that is expected because Trump has always been a whiner, and complainer, whenever something doesn’t go his way. He usually fires them. But, this time he can’t. So he is threatening lawsuits. And that is his MO too. Look back on when he was a real estate man, and you will find that he loved to threaten people with lawsuits, knowing some could not handle the legal fees and the lost time. He didn’t care then about doing the right thing. He doesn’t care now.

I personally can not wait to say bye bye to Donald. I really look forward to a respectful president again. Calmness. Respect. I can’t wait to have meanness from the top go away.

So, today what worries me the most is the group Trump created. He has built up a large mass of people who worship him. I don’t say that lightly. There are people now who believe he is God, or was divinely picked. They feel he is the only ‘way’ and that Biden is the anti-president. They have been convinced by 4 years of rallies and Fox devotion that Trump is the one and only. And just because Trump has lost (which they deny, and believe his cries of fraud voting), they still stay strongly committed to him. Defeat is not accepted. Truth doesn’t matter. It never has to them – and it continues to be that way.

Trumpers say they are ‘Republican through and through’ and that they maybe don’t like how he talks, but yet they overlook it. The word ‘overlook’ is too kind. Don’t you think? Because that means they don’t put an emphasis on his language – the meanness – and his eye rolls and shrugs. They love him so much that they don’t let themselves see the bad. The rest of us can’t overlook it. Never could, never will.

So, here we are. We have a president who will not concede. We have Trumpers who follow him regardless of who he is. And in the past few days many of them have been flocking to another social media site called “Parler” to commiserate, to cry, and to talk about the future. From what I know about Parler it has been much looser in standards, and in respectful speech. Threats are allowed. Those on the alt right have been on that site for a while – and now others are joining in. Re-enforcing each other.

I am worried about the next couple of months. We have a president who won’t give up even after losing both the Electoral College and the popular vote. We have a group of followers who are not thinking rationally. We have horrible rhetoric – lies- continuing non-stop. Oh – and we have CoVid.

I am scared we will see violence. I am scared we will see many more CoVid deaths. It’s a sad time for the United States of America.

I am doing my best to ‘go high’ and I tell you, sometimes it’s not easy. When I get so frustrated, and worried, and frightened all I can do is talk to God. Not THAT one… ha. No, the real God – the creator of us all, and nature. The one that says…Marla, love your neighbor. Even the ones that are really hard to love. Continue to do My work. Help those who need help, feed those who are hungry, live life as my child – as my representative. Do that because there is only one true God.

This may be my last post for a little while. It’s the day before Election Day and for my own sanity I feel I may just have to tune out for a few days.

I have been through a lot of presidential elections in my time. I have voted every single time since turning 18, and therefore I have Always cared about who wins and who loses. I always had a preference. But, I also knew that it was a lot of ‘politics’ and our country would go on without much concern. I voted for policy more than worrying about the person who held the office. I never questioned their ability to be ‘presidential.’. I remember well NOT voting for George W. Bush but still being able to look my friends in their eyes even if they voted for him. I used to play bridge with some dear girlfriends in Sparta, NJ, and I was the only one at the bridge table with a differing opinion about him. But, I never considered leaving the group, or de-friending my bridge partners.

Four years ago changed me. I mean, come on, we had an election against a seasoned senator and former First Lady, a woman, and a smart lawyer – going up against a failed businessman and a reality star. I watched during that campaign how he demeaned people, how he stared people down in debates & even followed them around the floor, and snickered. He acted like a child – one we would consider a brat. A child who needed to be reprimanded. He called for a crazy form of ‘Americanism’ that would send us backwards (MAGA), and he overtly said racism comments. I thought there was no way the American people would consider him as a sincere opponent, and certainly not worthy to hold the highest office in our land. He had no political experience. He had no finesse. He had no skills in leadership, in debate, in bringing people together. His language was dividing and his only concern was his ego. His platform (if you want to call it that) was about putting up walls – realistically and figuratively.

Well… we all know the outcome. We have lived through 4 years of it. My opinion has not changed for the better at all, and in fact, his daily tweets, his daily stunts, his constant ego, and nepotism, have shown me worse than I even imagined.

I hear the polls now – and I worry. Oh, I have learned not to trust polls because they are often conducted by those out there who try and sway… and the whole social media world has become a tilted view of what is happening. The past four years has been an explosion of lies from the president, and lies and propaganda on social media sites. Bots, and fake postings, and constant deluges of skewed info. It has become difficult to find truth.

When Trump won four years ago several things happened to me. First, I Turned the TV off at 10:00pm in disbelief. In the morning I woke to the news and cried, and I felt a physical weight and sense of sadness come over me, and I really felt I did not know our country anymore. In the days following his election I walked around in a daze and looked at people I thought I knew… and wondered ‘did they vote for him? Why? ‘ Or, did they Just not vote for Hillary because they thought she’d win? Or, maybe did they give up on our democratic system awhile ago, become cynical and were checked out during the campaign? Is this what really happened?

I felt redeemed a bit watching the amazing Women’s Marches that exploded across our country, and I really wanted to be at one. From that time on I felt I had to go… to be visible, To do something, and so I have tried to use my voice and myself – in marches, in my writings here, in volunteering for a candidate.

It’s been a long four years. There have been so many outrageous stories, and tweets, that I feel people have become numb to how low the office of the president has become. The world has watched – and laughed. Some world leaders have been manipulated and allies have been treated poorly.

I still hurt every day over what has happened.

Today, one day before “Election Day,” there are still so many people in our country who support him. It is beyond my understanding. Some people on the left like to say ‘they have drunk his kool-aid’ by watching only Fox for 4 years, and by actually believing everything he says as truth. It’s like a masterclass of deceiving people. So, yes – Perhaps it is true. I hate to think that so many Americans are really that gullible. But, as my shock of 4 years has never gone away, I still think it must be that I do not understand how so many people think. Because, If I try to, I find it very sad… and I come up with very seeing the selfish decisions they made, and I see people only concerned with money. Yes, I know there are other issues – but I believe NOTHING can be greater than respect and honesty. They are gone now.

I hope Joe Biden wins because he will work on returning the office of president to what it was. He will start to turn around all the disappointments of the last 4 years – the backwards direction with our environment, with our trust in medicine, and our belief in dignity for every single human being.

If Biden doesn’t win, it’s going to take me some time to get the huge lump out of throat. You may not see me for a few days (not that you do anyway- CoVid is a whole other issue!!), or hear from me in my musings or on social media.

I will eventually be fine. I cherish my close family. I live for my hubby, daughters & SIL’s, for my grandBabies, and my pets. I have support and love from some like-minded friends. But give me time. I’m going to need it.

Today is Tuesday and we are only one week away from ‘Election Day.’ Although, this is a different year, and according to news reports, we have had incredibly large early turnout at voting locations across the country. Still, the big day – decision day – is one week away.

Last week I felt good about a blue wave coming and that we will have a new president soon. But I have to tell you I am starting to feel a dread coming over me now. I’m getting pretty nervous about the result next week. I know there is a huge Trump contingency out there and it is still beyond my comprehension why. As I type this right now I have a lump in my throat and tears on the verge of coming.

There are so many reasons why I am feeling sadness and worry right now. But, I think the biggest one is the disappointment I feel when it comes to Christians, those who know the Word and try to live by the teachings of Jesus. I can’t help but wonder how so many justify voting for Trump. The Christian message is clearly to love your neighbor and To take care of the needy, the poor, those different from you, and to give freely. All we have Been given our gifts from God, the creator. Given to us to use for His purpose. I know my Lutheran doctrine teaches me to respond to God’s gifts of mercy, His grace, and his offering of eternal life, by spreading His word – and by living as an example of His message. Do other Christian denominations teach this too? I think they do.

If so, then HOW can a Christian voter find Trump as the better choice?

Now I know we all sin, and it is up to each individual to reconcile with God. Maybe Trump does that – but I doubt it. This morning on Facebook I saw a quote about forgiving past sins, and yes we all have sinned. The quote was about forgiving Trump for his adultery, and his misuse of money, and his lying. Because… we all sin. But, recognizing being sinful also means repenting and then trying to change the behavior. There is nothing that I see from Trump that shows he has changed his heart, his ways, and his language. In fact as we get into these final days his rhetoric has been as bad as ever. Words matter. Actions matter.

Christian voters for Trump – Please, enlighten me. Because I really feel disappointed by you – I am sorry but I do.

I wear a symbol of my Christianity around my neck every day. I have a cross on a necklace and it is a reminder to me that I am a follower of Christ. People see it on me. It is a reminder to me that I represent how He wants me to behave, and not as a burden, but instead to show how God’s love has made me who I am. What I have is His. It’s freeing to have this faith. It helps me take selfishness away.

We are all on our personal journey with God, as we go through this time of Trump. But, let me ask a few questions to ponder:

Do you think Trump pleases God with his words?

Do you think Trump cares about religion except for how it makes him look?

Do you think Trump uses his faith in decision making?

I believe in the separation of church and state because here in America everyone has the freedom to worship as they please, without persecution. I believe that religion should not be forced on anyone. Government does not have the right to pick one religion over another. They can not use their power over any church unless they are breaking the laws of the land. It was certainly an important reason that the settlers came to America from other countries.

We Christians are fortunate to live here. But we need to be true to who we are.

Four years of Trump has not changed my mind about our president. In fact every single day of his term has made my heart hurt with his tweets and his words of meanness. And all the lying!! ALL THE LYING.

Issues matter – yes, I know. And, normally, we voters could decide on those things that we support or don’t. Trump voters say that all the time. But this Election Day is about much more.

Christians: as a follower of Jesus Christ I hope you vote for goodness, and fairness, and honesty, and integrity. Vote for your neighbor. Love your neighbor as yourself.

We all live in a bit of a bubble, especially during these Covid days. We are around the same people, and we do many of the same things the same way each day. So, sometimes we forget to look out beyond the bubble, to take a look all around – beyond our home, or town, or our county and state. It’s easy to get self-absorbed, and to make decisions based on our own little world.

Some people have lived in one place all their lives. Others have traveled the world and have seen firsthand how people in other places go about their days. They see beautiful lands but also poverty right there too. Actually, nobody has to travel far to experience the extremes of both if you are looking. Here where I live I see amazing, large homes in secure gated communities and I see rundown single wide trailers with blue tarps on them. These two extremes are short drives from each other. The poverty around here stands out because it’s on some of the main roads that I travel every day.

My town is like so many others. You drive by – and you get numb to the hardships of those living along the road, in The trailers or small shacks. You may wonder how they are holding on, and why they have such a sad looking place to live in, and why they haven’t pulled themselves up and made a better life. But, most days you don’t think about it.

Maybe we don’t want to think about it. It’s painful. It’s hard to feel sympathy and then to go on. At least it’s hard to go on if you have a heart. It’s easier not to think about them. About others. About the guy down the street who can’t fix his roof before the next storm arrives. “Everyone has troubles so why should I care?”

I think those who lack a morale compass – or who lack a connection with God – can drive by the poor and not think much about them. Well, except maybe they secretly say they are happy it’s not them. I wonder if people who prefer not to care about others were not taught is as children, or if something happened along the way to harden them, or maybe they just aren’t deep thinkers.

As we get ready to vote – and as we think about the next 4 years in America – I hope the folks with morale beliefs and who live by God’s directives (go, serve, make disciples of all men) outweigh the others. I hope there are enough people who look outside their bubble and want to see the people down the road, and the people in the next county and state, have a better home, a better chance for a job that can pay enough to make ends meet. I hope when we vote we do it asking who will make ALL our lives better? Not “what’s in it for me?”

Bubbles can be cushiony. They can keep people ‘safe’ and unable to see beyond a small area. Let’s ‘burst those bubbles’ and take a good look beyond, and then vote to improve the lives of every man, woman, and child in America.

America has always been the land that accepts the tired and the poor. It’s written right there on the Statue of Liberty. It has also been the place where everyone should have an opportunity to make a good life for themselves.

But drive along the roads and you will see it’s not happening as it should.