A Letter to My Daughter about 11-04-2008
Last night, dearest daughter, while you slept in blissful ignorance, something amazing happened; something that has never happened before in the history of the world. Something that you will read about, many years from now, in those far-too-expensive High School U.S. History textbooks: An African-American is the President of the United States.
This “letter” (also known as a blog post… do they still have “blogs”?) is being written to capture a few passing thoughts of mine as history has (and is) being made.
Last night, your mom and I sat and watched it unfold: We watched as Senator McCain gave his concession speech, and as he had appropriately stated:
“We have come to an end of a long journey. The American people have spoken, and they have spoken clearly,” McCain said.
We also watched in awe as Barack Obama gave his victory speech. And Oh, was it a speech. It was a rallying cry that tugged on the heartstrings of many as we watched, on your uncle’s 58″ plasma tv, tears of joy streaming down supporter’s faces.
And your father wept too that night, but not amongst the thousands that thronged to Chicago to hear him, but alone, in his prayer closet (Matthew 6:6), as He begged Christ to be the center and absolute king of not only his own heart, but of the millions of other disciples of Jesus that make up the Church.
You see, my daughter, this election showed your appa something that frightened him (yes, your appa does get scared sometimes). This election displayed a level of vitriolic and acerbic behavior amongst the Church the likes of which he had never ever seen.
So disheartening were some of the conversations, so depressing were the obvious divisions, and so appalling were the discourses, that I was genuinely frightened of having to engage in the political discussion.
And, at times, I hated the election.
But “hate” is the last thing that I, or anyone, should meditate on. So here are four things that I want you to remember when you get old enough to vote:
God is still God and our God is Good.
Although I can already hear your voice saying “Apppppppppppaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa…! I know that already!” I want you never forget it, so it is worth repeating. Nothing can change this fact, and let my life be a testimony that our God is still very, very good. God is watching over us, our country, and this president and wants the very best for His children. I hope you can learn this more and more as you grow.
God is Mystery and that’s a Good Thing.
One of the biggest lessons that I’ve ever learned from Seminary is that one should never forget that our God is a God of Mystery. Yes, Roenne, He’s made Himself known to us through the Scriptures and through His Son Jesus, but there is so much more to Him that we can ever know. And this is important. His ways are beyond our ways, He makes nations rise and nations fall because He Wills it. We cannot possibly understand the “why”… but we must continue to trust in Him at all times (that’s “faith” by the way…).
In addition, it’s a good thing. It keeps us straight, on the right path, keeping our eyes on Him. We will never really know why the election panned out the way it did, but He has put who He has desired to be the next president of our nation. Many will not agree and many more will not understand, and that’s fine. Our God is a God of Mystery. It also helps to keep us praying.
The Enemy will do Anything to Divide.
Let me be quick on this point… my daughter, if you haven’t begun to already learn this, the deceiver will do anything to divide and focus our attention elsewhere.
Do not be fooled.
He is a liar, and will use emotion to cloud your judgment. It is during these moments that you must reach for one of the many bibles that we’ve given you and read the scriptures like your life depended on it.
God Loves the Church (A Lot) and so Should We.
Regardless of how foolish we can be, and how unfaithful, unwise, and absolutely sinful in regards to our treatment of others within the Body of Christ, Christ still loves the Church and will do anything (except sin!) to make his bride the most beautiful thing ever.
And we should do the same. Love the Church, for it is the true Hope of this world. There will be disagreements, there will be supposed divisions, but there is only ONE Church. Love it, serve it, die for it, and seek unity in all things. Christ did it, and so should we.
And so, Roenne, as you are waking up, the world isn’t all that different than what it was the day before. Things are still as broken as they were yesterday. But what we have been giving is an opportunity to do what we’ve been called to do according to Scripture. To answer the “call”:
America, we have come so far. We have seen so much. But there is so much more to do. So tonight, let us ask ourselves — if our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?
This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment.
I hope that the choices I make today are ones that will impact your future, for the good. I want to make changes that are impactful, effectual, and that change people’s lives. That’s progress.
But don’t forget that one thing that will never change is that I’m your appa.
