It is Well

I woke with fresh optimism about what this day would hold for me. Is it because we have a new president and because we hope and pray that he will make positive, healthy, morally, and Biblically sound decisions that will unify and protect our country, turn our hearts to God, and “make us great again”? We can sure “hope and pray”, can't we? Actually, “hoping and praying” is the basis for what we should be doing, regardless of our party affiliations and where we are aligning ourselves during our new president’s administration.

I’ll admit, several times I teared up with hope as I watched our 45th President of the U.S. place his hand on the Bible and pledge and vow BEFORE GOD, to do the right things.

One of my favorite moments of the inauguration was Rev. Franklin Graham’s words when he went to the podium to give a benediction prayer, but preceded the prayer with these words: "Mr. President, in the Bible, rain is a sign of God's blessings. And it started to rain, Mr. President, when you came to the platform, And it's my prayer that God will bless you, your family, your administration, and may He bless America."

Quite frankly, I’m so glad this whole election process is behind us for a while. It's quite typical for there to be negativity -- their side didn't win. But, I'm done with the voices of gloom, despair and hate coming from the naysayers. It’s time for us to regroup and reinstate ourselves as believers in God who sits on HIS throne and He has not turned over His authority to a man. He reigns in heaven and earth and the election and inauguration doesn’t change that. There is no (D) or (R) beside God’s name. He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. He is The Great I AM!

Today it is well with my soul – not because of our new 45th president. It is well with my soul because “I know Him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard that which I have committed unto Him...” 2 Timothy 1:12

Here’s how we can support our new president…..straight from God’s proclamation: “If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7:14

So that’s what I’ll commit to today as a proud American citizen. We have daily choices of rising and shining OR rising and glooming. I’d rather lean into the brighter side of life by being kind-hearted and optimistic any day than being a part of any group that is dark, hateful and mean.

I started this post by saying “It is well. I woke this morning with optimism for what this day will hold for me.” I meant that. I have a choice each day to gravitate to what I desire to see in my day.
So, I'm encouraging you to have a godly attitude towards our new president. I'm encouraging you to pray for him with the heartfelt desire that God will make him into a great president rather than for you to stand on the sidelines, rooting for his fall. If we really care about America and are people of prayer, that should be our mind-set.

Lastly, we should have GREAT expectations. Could it be that President Trump has way more going for him than we realize? Could it be that many Americans had solid reasons to vote for him and that he could get a lot done for the good of our nation? Could it be that, despite his very rough edges and non-presidential tweets, God is already working in his heart? I’m optimistic enough in our good, good Father that He is already working in the crevices and corners of his heart, and in the meantime, I'll be praying for clouds that hold a lot of rain. Daily I plan on praying "Let it rain, Lord. Let it rain! Let it rain blessings and more blessings on Your people."

Were You There When Donald Trump Became President?

Yes, I was there -- glued to the returns that came in. Even my young grandchildren stayed up for the big announcement. The history books will long declare "Donald Trump became the 45th President-Elect of the United States of America on November 9th, 2016". Who woulda' thought that a real estate mogul, New York businessman, and the "You are fired" guy would be elected our President? One news commentator said, "This was the most astonishing campaign by an outsider who had relatively no political experience, but the people's voice was heard." How does that sound -- "The people's voice was heard"?

I stood in line for an hour and fifty minutes to vote in this unprecedented election because I wanted my voice to be heard. I have never seen anything like it. Apparently, it was a record turnout. I've never seen lines like I saw. It was worth the wait, because I met some really great people that were optimistic, positive and not complaining about the long wait at all. I saw people being pushed in their wheelchairs. I saw young moms with babies in strollers and pouch slings. They had children in tow and many were not too thrilled to be there. My "line" friends held my place while I went and held those moms' places so they could go change their diapers or to let their little one run around some. Though those children will not remember this day, their mommas will no doubt remind them, for many years to come, that they were there on this historic day -- the day "The people's voice was heard."

It sure has been a wild and crazy several months -- so much nonsense in words, deeds and actions by, not just the candidates but by those of us that somehow forgot God's desire for us to be lights in the middle of it all. We've had opportunities to exercise our patience, temperance, gentleness, joy, kindness and, most of all, our love. The question isn't how the candidates fared through it all....but "How did we handle ourselves as Christs' followers during this process?" Regardless of the side we were on, was God's light shining through us? Though "the people's voice was heard" -- was it the voice of goodness and mercy"?

Whether you are sad or glad about the outcome of this election, here's what matters most: God wasn't surprised by the winner. He is, after all, a KNOW-IT-ALL. He knew Donald Trump would be "the last man standing" here today. The best news is -- God is already King and HE REIGNS supreme — and He will work with our fragile, imperfect ways and bring calm to the chaos of our lives and our world. Now, may our voices of compassion and sensitivity be heard to our fellow man. May our voices declare "We are the UNITED States of America and UNITED we stand!"

Lots of folks had talked about going to Canada should Donald Trump become President. WOW!! Wonder why they didn't decide to go to a warmer place like the Bahamas, the Fiji Islands or Tahiti? Be careful little mouth what you say.....you just may have to eat those words someday! May our voices be heard around the world that ROCKS this WORLD with love that knows no bounds and may we get behind our new president in support and prayer.