Thoughts On a Historic Election (the Good and the Bad)

I’m a political junkie so I’ve been stunned since watching Trump hit the required number of electoral votes Tuesday night. I’ve been watching social media and reading many smart pieces, a lot of immature or not-thought-out pieces, and some pretty funny celebrity tantrums. However I am worried that the race was as close as it was, and that almost half of Americans can believe that someone of Hillary’s ilk should be president of the most powerful nation in the world is reprehensible.

The following are my thoughts on this historic election where the nation decided to completely shatter the status quo.

1. The way the Clinton supporters are feeling today is exactly the way many of us on the conservative side felt when Obama was elected to office 8 years ago, and then again 4 years ago. How did we handle it? Well, everyone handled it differently, but I do remember that we didn’t have riots in the streets and block traffic and break things and throw tantrums.
2. Many of us who are Christians prayed for Obama. I prayed a lot that this man whom I fundamentally disagreed with would do a good job and represent us all. Sometimes he did – most of the time, in a conservative’s point of view, he fell woefully short.
3. Part of the reason Trump is President Elect right now is a direct reaction and consequence to the very progressive views of Obama and his political allies. Part of it is because conservatives were bound and determined not to let another 8 years happen with a progressive at the wheel. They felt that their religious liberties were being attacked and that law enforcement was being thrown under the bus. Another reason Hillary lost is because she was so disliked by many people in her very own party. Do you wonder why she didn’t speak to her supporters Tuesday night? Many people have said it is because Hillary was stunned she lost, that she felt entitled to win and fully expected it–so she simply had nothing prepared.
4. The mainstream media had nothing to offer against Trump’s policies because he had no prior experience in government. The only thing they could do was use the rhetoric that would appeal directly to the people they were targeting. There were stories made larger than they should have been and some outright lies. And many people lapped it up and repeat the same argument over and over; it’s like a continuous loop. Hear me, though – Trump said some stupid things and people ran with them. He didn’t try to tamp the hysteria down, often times.
5. Those who oppose Trump took everything he said literally and didn’t take him seriously, while his supporters didn’t take him literally but did take him seriously. As adults it’s our job to be discerning and armed with past experience and knowledge to know when to actually take someone seriously and know when not to.
6. Many people weren’t voting for Trump at all but were voting against the Clinton Machine, the mainstream media, and the establishment. Americans sent a message that they are tired of being manipulated.
7. Many very intelligent people whom I have the utmost respect for are not following Trump blindly, but are saying, “We took a chance, we are hoping you will deliver on your economic promises and we WILL HOLD YOUR FEET TO THE FIRE.” And they will, of this I am sure.
8. It’s irony to the nth degree to see that the very people who thought Trump’s supporters were violent are the same ones now out in protest, breaking things, and carrying vulgar signs. Would Trump’s supporters do that if he lost? Maybe. My bet is on “no” because they’ve never done it in the past, so they probably would not now.
9. I will pray hard for Donald Trump. I’m not defending any of his stupid remarks; he wasn’t my choice for the Republican candidate.  But I want him to be a success just as I wanted Obama to. Trump is not out to shut down your voice or discriminate against you. I am sure of this…he is not going to change existing laws for marriage.
10. Parents:  You have a responsibility to care for your children and protect them. It is your job to help them understand this volatile environment as much as they can in whatever age appropriate way you can think of.  When I hear that children younger than 10 are throwing up and crying because they hear Trump won my heart break. These kids are frightened because they have been listening to their parents or the media freaking out about it and they have not heard a non-partisan explanation. Do not scare your kids, people. My husband and I have had many conversations about politics in front of our children, who were only 5 and 3 when Obama took office. They’ve pretty much only ever known President Obama as the leader of our country–but we have always tempered our words so as not to scare them. When our children have questions we tell them the truth, or at least our opinion of it, and then we reassure them that we are their parents and we love them and will protect them. They need to know that. Your hysteria will not serve them here and it’s selfish to wallow in that.
11. Christians, your job has not changed–you are still to do what you were called to do: Love your neighbor, spread the gospel, and speak the truth in love. And remember this – probably the most poignant thing I’ve seen all day among this mess of tears and disappointment and gloating and wonderment was said by a friend of mine:  “The way people on both sides today are speaking and acting just shows their trust in man is weightier than their trust in Christ. #IdolatryIsASin. – Mike Lewis”

Neither of the two people who vied for president will save us. Only One Being can save us. Keep your eyes on Him and pray.