My Dad and Politics

For the 40+ years that I knew my dad (may his memory be a blessing) I never had a clue as to who he voted for. I don’t know if it was because he piloted a B17 plane in WW2 or just because of the time in which he lived, but my dad took the freedom he fought for seriously. The freedom to vote and the freedom to keep his selection to himself.

There were times growing up that we all tried to figure out who dad voted for. Especially when he would get in a heated argument with my brother, debating issues. But when I’d ask him if that made him a supporter of a certain party, he wouldn't respond. After a while I realized that dad just enjoyed getting my brother all red in the face more than making his personal views public.

I miss those days. Those days of policy arguing. Those days of respect and honor amongst opposing patriots. But, those days are long gone and here we are in an environment of verbal destruction and misrepresentation on every front.

I could sit and wish and pray that my world would return to my dad’s time, but we’re on a roll and there’s no turning back. And the fear of this ongoing life, bombarded with hate and verbal slayings, is overwhelming to me. I, honestly, don’t know how to “live in the world but not of the world.” Well, I do, but it’s not healthy. Sticking my head in the sand, avoiding certain relationships, surrendering to my fear.

So, I’ve been thinking about a couple of things to do. First, if a candidate wins tomorrow that I didn’t vote for, I’m going to contact my friends and family who did vote for that particular party. I’m going to tell them that I’m happy for them and assure them that I will commit to praying for our president.

I’m also committing to stop with the eye rolls. Every time I hear an ad or news clips filled with hate or falsehood, I roll my eyes. Well, that has got to stop. I’ve decided, instead, to pray for that person or that party…without the eye roll. Which, I gotta tell ya, is a hard habit to break. It seems as though my eyes have been in a constant state of rolling to the point where I can’t seem to stop. So now, when I find myself rolling my eyes I quickly say, “Crap! I’m sorry. Okay. God, I pray…” I don’t see the eye rolling ending too soon, but I’m going to keep working at it.

And my big prayer would be, at the risk of sounding like a 1950s beauty pageant contestant, is that there would be peace on earth. But until that day comes, most likely not until Jesus returns, I’m going to do my best to live in this world but not of it. To live and speak with peace and hope and love, all while keeping my eyes under control, keeping them focused, looking straight ahead…or, even better, up to God. And to emulate my dad. Reading, listening, thinking. Staying quiet and holding my thoughts and my votes to myself. Honoring others as well as honoring God. If for no other reason, just because that’s what my dad fought for.