Worth Fighting For

This election year I didn't vote. I know, it's my right and privilege as an American citizen to speak up for my values by voting, I forgot that when a person moves they have to re-register to vote, and by the time I realized my mistake it was too late. I'm not sure I could've made a decision anyway this year. It was quite the year. For many reasons I am glad the elections are finally over. I have never enjoyed election year to be honest, I know we need them, and that our country is uniquely great for the way its system works, but my personality can't take the stress of Election year. And like the commercialization of the holidays it seems like it starts earlier and earlier every time. 

Sadly there are some unique repercussions from lasts nights decision. This post is not in any way me looking for political debate or my view on our new President or either candidate. It is simply an observation in how this election year seems to have wreaked havoc on the relationships that make up our daily lives and how that is what terrifies me the most about the next four years. I understand, politics like religion, finances and food is a very personal aspect of who we are as people and particularly as Americans. However we have failed the test this time my friends. The test being how we treat each other, which in my opinion is way more important than who sits in the Oval Office, and here's why. 

After the events and outcomes of last night I couldn't help but notice the cruelty and seditiousness that we are treating each other with. And it's not just among those who only talk to each other on Facebook with no outside relationship, but among family members, which should not be tolerated. There is a difference between friendly and legitimate debate, but over the last two and a half years Americans in general, not all of them, but a lot of them, have become the very beast that they are claiming to be arguing against. I have watched family tear each other apart over Facebook and feel completely justified in doing so. THIS IS NOT ALRIGHT!!!!!!! I personally don't care who anyone supports, I may not agree with you but I WILL NOT tear you apart over it. My relationship with you is more important that who is stinking elected. You. YOU. You are more important. The person next to you is more important. The person on Facebook whom you disagree with IS MORE IMPORTANT then who gets elected. I am not saying that the person who gets elected isn't important either, they are, like you, important. What I am saying is that in the end the candidate who gets elected, by the system that we all agree to work with, is not as important as the people who make up the fabric of who you are and your daily lives.

The same thing applies for those who aren't family members, but friends and colleagues have been tearing into each other as if all the years of friendship have no bearing in this moment. This is wrong. If people are worried about the nation going south because of this election, the first step they can take towards making sure that doesn't happen is kindness.

Yes for some, it may seem like the end of the nation as we know it. And for others there is a great rebirth of our nation glittering ahead of us. But in your rejoicings or mourning's please, please, PLEASE remember that the people who disagree with you are real people made in the image of our Lord and King Jesus Christ, who is the Supreme Ruler of all the nations regardless of who is in power. DO NOT burn the bridges between you and those who care about you. The elections are not worth that kind of loss.

I agree with Sam from the Lord of the Rings. We have to hold onto the things that are good, there is still good in this country and it's worth fighting for. The Founding Fathers thought so, Martin Luther King Jr thought so, I think so, I'm pretty sure you do. And those of us who would be called Christians, followers of Christ, or quite literally "little Christs" have got to step up our game. We have been some of the worst this year on this front. Honestly I don't care what your politics are, but if you can't treat someone else the way Christ  wants and commands you to treat them regardless of their politics, you have some serious heart searching to do.

Don't get me wrong, I am totally ok with good spirited debate, knock yourself out, but before you enter into it, make sure you have a working understanding of good debate form, steer clear of logical fallacies, check your facts and on no uncertain terms should you attack the person with whom you are debating. It's not ethical or kind. And certainly doesn't make your point more valid. We are all adults who are voting, we should be able to act like it.

Let's make it a challenge from here on out to change this sad trend and start treating each other with the love and respect we all deserve.

Have courage and be kind.

Frodo: I can’t do this, Sam.

Sam: I know. It’s all wrong. By rights we shouldn’t even be here. But we are. It’s like in the great stories, Mr. Frodo. The ones that really mattered. Full of darkness and danger, they were. And sometimes you didn’t want to know the end. Because how could the end be happy? How could the world go back to the way it was when so much bad had happened? But in the end, it’s only a passing thing, this shadow. Even darkness must pass. A new day will come. And when the sun shines it will shine out the clearer. Those were the stories that stayed with you. That meant something, even if you were too small to understand why. But I think, Mr. Frodo, I do understand. I know now. Folk in those stories had lots of chances of turning back, only they didn’t. They kept going. Because they were holding on to something.

Frodo: What are we holding onto, Sam?

Sam: That there’s some good in this world, Mr. Frodo… and it’s worth fighting for.