Find hope, even on election day

On October 6, 1774, John Wesley wrote these words in his journal:

I met those of our society who had votes in the ensuing election, and advised them

 1. To vote, without fee or reward, for the person they judged most worthy

 2. To speak no evil of the person they voted against, and

 3. To take care their spirits were not sharpened against those that voted on the other side.

Good golly Miss Molly. (They didn’t have Facebook back then, did they?)

Well, I surely cannot improve one bit on 1, 2, or 3. But here’s my 4, 5 and 6.

4. Before and during your 5 minutes in the voting booth, pray that you are making the right choice. Not that everyone makes your choice or that your candidate wins. Just wisdom for you.

5. Promise yourself right now, this very minute:  As the results are revealed, no matter what the outcome, you will begin a pattern of daily prayer for the victors. Add their offices to your prayer calendar or journal right now. Use a pen. You don’t have to wait until the election is over. You can add the names later.

6. During the days and weeks after the election, start conversations with those who voted differently and those who didn’t vote at all. Talk about how much we can do for our neighbors, communities, states, and nation no matter who is in the oval office or the capital buildings. Make lists and plans for the future of your corner of the world. Be specific.

Read to first graders who live in hard places.

Adopt a family who needs help with the basics – groceries, bus money, child care, hope.

Knit or crochet for charity.

Serve Thanksgiving Dinner to those less fortunate at a church or shelter.

Talk to people.

Most of our day-to-day has little to do with what elected big shots say or do. Oh, I know we are concerned about big issues – health care, liberties, choices, security, employment. And we should be.

But by and large our days consist of a series of plans and choices we make for ourselves.

And when it comes right down to me and mine, I choose love and peace. I choose to be a contributor, not a taker. Build up not break down. Share, help, support, encourage. At least that’s my plan.

Maybe what happens at the Supreme Court level will impact how we do business and care for our loved ones. Maybe I will have to explain what $&#@(!& means to Asher and Audrey. Maybe taxes will go up, pot-holes will get bigger, schools will fail to meet budgets, and the inmates will continue to run the asylum. Maybe so.

But, election day will come and go. The die will be cast.

And, my lovelies, if we spend even one minute wringing our hands, we are wasting precious time.

Let’s commit to one another right now that we will approach voting day with 1, 2, and 3.

And then walk with a 4, 5, and 6 that will make God smile.

Are you in? I’d love to know…

 

Most of our day-to-day has little to do with what elected big shots say or do. Click to Tweet.