Well, America.
The results are in. We have our next President of the United States.
As I’m scrolling through my social media feed, I’m seeing many of my fellow American’s hurt.
Some are disappointed, worried and fearful of what the next few years will bring. And then there’s the opposite reaction in my news feeds … many rejoicing, relieved and ready to see what the next few years will bring.
This morning around breakfast tables, the news will be passed to our children. We’ll stand around water coolers at work and whisper our opinions. And we’ll text our friends things like …. can you even believe it?
But now many of us are asking … what now?
And so as we wrestle with the: what now question, I believe there are three important conversations we need to have with ourselves, each other and the ones we hold closest.
Conversation One: Not Everyone Wins
I know. This is like a foreign concept with our culture today, especially with our kids. Because as I go to my daughter’s cheer competitions, I cringe as the “Sixteenth Place” trophy gets passed from the stage to the crowd wildly applauding.
Every team is a winner.
But while everyone has the potential to be a winner personally, in reality, not every team wins. Results are results.
And so there are kids that have taken this election as seriously as their parents and they are feeling a loss today. It’s incredibly confusing to them because winning has become so redefined in our culture.
So perhaps it’s time to remember, not every team can win.
But the opposite of that, when we do win, we don’t smear it in people’s faces.
We understand that when people are passionate about something or someone, a loss is a loss. May our hearts be tender to our neighbors, friends and communities as we begin to heal from one of the greatest divisions our nation has lived through.
Conversation Two: Believe the Best
Here’s the fact … the media has caused us to not even know what is what anymore. As I watched this whole election unfold it was so disturbing to me to not be able to trust any news source.
We have become so divided in our country.
You there, me here.
And both sides are making unfair judgments about the types of people who voted the opposite of our convictions, based on what the media has told us.
I feel like the question, “Who’d you vote for?” will become the new “What do you do for a living?” comparison-type question. We will “size” each other up based on the results we wanted.
But I want to believe the best of my co-worker or the friend I pass in the grocery store who voted the opposite of me.
I’m reminding myself … they are not a representative of: _____________ [insert all the hate for the opposite political party]. I can have a difference of opinion about someone and still believe the best about them.
Conversation Three: God Honors Honor
Last night, before I knew any results, I shared with my three girls the good things I saw in the Obama’s, the Clinton’s and the Trump’s.
There’s a spirit of severe disrespect flowing around our nation. And when we say the words, “There’s no good in them.” We are allowing ourselves to become vessels of dishonor.
My heart is tender towards Hillary as she’s waking up to a new reality this morning. A reality that her life could feel very fragile right now as this election has been brutal on her, her family and her career. She gave this election everything she had.
And Donald Trump is also waking up to a new reality. Half of the nation doesn’t like him. The next few years of his life will be filled with lots of hallways of haters, I’m sure. He has a huge undertaking ahead of him.
But as we honor the people above us, beside us and below us … what God can do through honor is unimaginable.
Love one another with brotherly affection.
Outdo one another in showing honor.
–Romans 12:10
What about you? What is a helpful conversation we as a nation need to be having right now? I’d love to hear your gentle responses in the comment section today.
20 Comments
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The result may be shocking to some people, but they must not dismayed because there is a greater hand in charge of all.
Very well put Nicki, my heart hurts reading all the negativity this morning. We need to remember to love the Lord our God with all our heart and love our neighbors, (no matter how they voted) as we love ourselves. We don’t need anymore division or ugliness-we need love and to work together as a nation. We need to understand that our views are not the only ones and if we want others to respect our views we need to respect theirs too. Thank you for this breath of fresh air this morning.
I pray that prayers continue to cover our land and that we come together and pray for all those who are and will be leading. Also, saw a scripture that says don’t gloat be humble and keep God in the front.
Well said, Nicki. Our country needs prayer every day. We need to continue being a example as Christians and showiing God’s love and xompassion.
Thank you Nikki. I pray that as God’s people we would renew our committment to seek Him, His ways and to pray fervently for revival in our land. May we not be discouraged my who lost nor we sit back beacuse of who won. Come Lord Jesus come!
Pray this way for kings and all who are in authority so that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity. 1 Timothy 2:2
This is what I feel we should encourage all to do. Pray!
We are ALL winners because Jesus died for us.
He will C-over His people.
Thank you. Thank you for sharing this beautiful verse. Thank you for your thoughts.
Thank you so much for this post. I too am discouraged with all of the hate and negativity throughout this entire election. I truly needed this encouragement!
Thank you Nicki for this lovely post this morning! Our country has become so divided I do pray and hope we all can make America great again. I know our God can.
Thank you for you post Nicki ! I love reading it . We should continue to pray for our country and its leaders.
So well said! This is exactly what I needed to read this morning and it’s a breath of fresh air for me!
I say that with all our prayer and supplications. I thank the Lord with all my heart that He has answered our prayers. I know a few people including myself the Lord has told us to fast and pray for this election and we had. We should not put God in a box. He chooses whom He pleases and we have seen it He has put the man that He chose to be in the white house and lead this nation according to His will. Now we need to continue to pray for our leaders and Donald Trump for wisdom and protection in leading this country. It won’t be easy but nothing is impossible with God. Scripture says, ” We can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” God bless you all!
One thing I know is Pence is a solid Christian. I believe that God is putting his people in place. The media has stirred a bubbly pot of frenzy for the last year. This will settle down but our prayers need to continue more than ever. Thank you Lord for being in control.
I am not sure I should say this- so, edit it out if you like-I am both a woman of faith and a woman who who voted “Blue” and I wish more people acknowledged that the two are not mutually exclusive. I worry that Christians are assuming that because a party is correct (from a Biblical perspective) on one issue they are correct on every issue. It is especially dangerous when we designate a candidate as the “Christian” choice. If he/she makes a misstep or takes a fall, then it reflects not just on the party but on the faith.
Thank you so much for saying this.
Excellent blog and consolidation of positive thoughts as we have to move forward. We need to honor our friends, family, and god and the decision of this election. Praying!
Thank you for your beautifully stated remarks. I too am grieved at some of the choices being made or approved of at this time. This reminder that our eyes, mouths and hearts need to be drawing closer to God is perfect. God Bless You and thank you again for your wise and caring words.
I too prayed for Hillary and her family. how awful it must be to believe you are winning and then get a shock! However i believe God’s hand is in this outcome and also in our future.the ones protesting are mostly young and they don’t really know what they are against.we need to pray for all of them if we don’t we are putting our children and grandchildern at great risk for their future. However i do know all things are possible with our Lord and savior and i trust Him no matter the outcome. so we need to PRAY steadly for our nation.
I was reminded, again today, who we ALL truly are. Each an expression of God experiencing everything God can possibly experience. None of it is all good, and none of it is all bad. It is the filter we choose to look through….our perception, that puts the judgement on anything. We can make new choices in any moment, every day, all the time, if we decide to. I was reminded to choose love, the only truth, and turn off the messages of hate and fear. Trust that all is unfolding in the way we create it.
Love one another, for we ARE ONE ANOTHER!!
Enter me! Love all these ideas!!
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