Being Thankful - Day Eight

Today, I am grateful for the recent national election.

Hear me out.

I feel like there was a message sent to the nation; we've complained about this very thing for awhile.  But, I think, deep down, we didn't really believe it was true.  We're becoming a nation of poorly educated, uninformed people.  I do not mean that in 30 years, there will be a majority of the electorate that is poorly educated and uninformed and unable to envision a life where personal responsibility is paramount.  I mean that now, right now, there are more people who don't get it than there are people who do get it.  And, all signs point towards this trend only becoming more of a constant, rather than a fluke.

Here's what has been driven home to me in the past 48 hours.  I need to be sure our kids are getting an education that is rich in history, rich in economics, rich in Biblical knowledge, and rich in civics.  Jmk and I need to be sure that we are raising future leaders and future adults who insist on living a life of honor, with respect for elders and Biblical compassion for those in need.  We need to be sure that we are teaching them the importance of making their faith their own.  We need to make sure that this overwhelmingly burdensome societal need to avoid hurting hyper-delicate feelings does not cause them to make poor decisions or think irrationally.

Lest one think that I am referring to the national choices only, there were also some community choices that led me to have these same reactions.

But, I'm done with it.  It is astounding to me how ignorant so very many people are to simple, basic economic principles.  They truly do not understand them.  Our children are not going to follow down that pathway.  As I tell them all the time, "you may not like it, but you have to do it anyway".  There is a huge section of our country's population who need to hear that mantra a few times.  You may not like the fact that socialism doesn't work, has never worked, and will never work.  But you don't have to like it for it to be true.

I admit that this Being Thankful day is a therapy session for me.  In all honesty, I AM truly grateful to have been given this moment of clarity with regard to what the Lord expects of us as parents.  I'm not sure I would have gotten it so clearly if I hadn't seen the election numbers, both nationally and locally.  But I've got it now.  I don't expect my children to think just like me.  I expect them to be smarter, braver  and better Christians.  I pray for them to find spouses who are like-minded so that they may not be unequally yoked.  And I realize that no matter what Jmk and I do, they may make poor choices along their way.  But, it won't be for lack of effort on our parts.

Strength of character is waning in our nation.  But, God gives his children a spirit "of power, and of love, and of a sound mind".  I will cling to that as we look towards the future and work for the senatorial elections in 2 years.

Thank you, Father, for not giving up on me and continuing to teach me, even though I do not deserve one second of Your attention.  I am thankful.