Monday, November 7, 2011

30 Days of Thanksgiving: Day 7

Today I'm going to go out on a limb and say that I'm thankful for politicians.  I know what you're thinking.  Just bear with me, okay?  Tomorrow is election day.  We'll all go to our polling stations, stand in our little booths, and pick the "right" candidates.  We'll wait on pins and needles all day, wondering if the "right" candidates will win.  We'll either roll our eyes or cheer when we hear the results.  We'll watch like hawks, waiting to catch the "wrong" candidates making mistakes or the "right" candidates do amazing things.  We'll talk about how our guy (or girl) would have done it better, how we would do it if we were in office, how the last person who filled that role did such a better/worse job.  We'll all do it.

I'm not here to tell you which side of the political fence you should choose.  I don't even care, honestly, whether you're a fence-sitter!  I'm not going to bore you with my own political views, or even share them with you, because it doesn't matter.  I'm not saying I haven't "chosen sides."  I have a party affiliation and I use it strictly when I vote in primaries.  I don't always stick to party lines when I vote in general elections.  I don't think party matters as much as each individual's views.

Politicians get a bad rap.  We all know that.  But today, they are the people for whom I am thankful.  I wouldn't want their jobs.  About the last title I'd want is "politician."  I don't want the pressure.  I don't want to have to make decisions that effect millions of people!  I have enough trouble making wise decisions for a family of 5!  I definitely don't want the constant critique of the general population hanging over my head!

The next time you're in that voting booth (hopefully it'll be tomorrow), the next time you get the notion that whatever XYZ politician is doing is horribly wrong and that guy is out to get us all, remember the pressure and the criticism they face every day.  Remember how difficult it must be to hold that much power, and to be a decision maker for millions.  Think of yourself in that role, and imagine whether it's something you could do yourself!  I sure couldn't!

Dear Lord, today I thank you for politicians!  They take a lot of flack, and we all think we know better.  Those men and women are putting their necks out there every day, though.  They've got a huge position of power.  Help them to make the wisest decisions for our countries and for the world.  Help the right men and women to take offices so that forward motion can occur.  Bless these men and women every day, Lord.  Thank you for putting them in power!

4 comments:

Discovering the Me in Mommy said...

Your prayer is right on! Even though we have very imperfect leadership, we have leadership and a government in order! God is God, and He is still sovereign and on His throne.

Tara said...

i think your 30 days of thankfulness are a great idea leading up to thanksgiving!

Unknown said...

Thanks for the reminder, and I've been enjoying your 30 days of thankfulness. :) I'm glad you said that you are thankful for politicians because I would not have put that, but it reminded me that God commands us to pray for our leaders. Too often, I complain about politicians, but do I pray that God would change their hearts and lead justly and rightly. Truthfully, no. Not as I should, unless there's a major election. That speaks volumes of my own heart.

Elizabeth said...

You know, I never think of it either. Around major elections I think to pray for those coming and going, and that the "right" ones will be elected, etc. But on a daily basis? I'm too full of complaining negativity and "I could do a better job" to think to pray for them! Don't you suppose if we would all quit whining and start bathing them in prayer things might be different?

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