i took a break for a hot second there and at this point, this is nothing new for me. there have been a few times i've wanted to write but i just didn't because, ugh, where do i even start? but i'm feelin like writing and sharing today, and instagram has just become too intimidating for me these days and truthfully does not feel like a safe place to share and learn together, and not really a place to so comprehensively be able to share, so how bout my good ole blog, huh? where i believe you, reader, know me and my heart and you've always offered me grace.
so, here's some more unsolicited political thoughts (but i guess if you went to my blog, maybe you solicited them? ;))
so there's an election this week... in case you didn't know, ha.
i've actually enjoyed having several in-person conversations with family and friends where i straight up ask them who they're gonna vote for and enjoy bringing up controversial political topics to learn. for me, i'm genuinely curious and kind of like having that taboo conversation. maybe because francis and i just do not fit either category and we both see the good and bad of both parties? (this is something i just learned about francis... we are both very similar when it comes to our political views. this isn't needed, i wouldn't mind if he had different political thoughts because i'm so in the middle, but it's kinda cool!). i just refuse to put another human down for not voting for either person and i've seen this done so much on both sides! like you're not educated or you're not kind or good or whatever if you don't vote for someone. are you kidding me?
i voted absentee this year and for the first time, i went through each candidate on the ballot and researched who they are and what they stand for and voted based on the ones i felt i most aligned with. last time i voted, i kind of just circled every candidate that fit the party i thought i identified with and i didn't know anything about them or what they do. this year, i circled names from both parties actually, and i felt good about how i made my choices. i would encourage you to also look up the candidates on your ballot before you vote, if you have not already done so.
anyway. i think it all comes down to hope and we all need to be careful about believing that voting for whomever will solve all our problems and suddenly everything will be fixed in our country. because honestly, life is hard, covid is still gonna be a thing, racism is a deeply-rooted and systemic issue that cannot be fixed and healed from overnight or with the right candidate (though one thing i will say is i think it matters a lot how our president talks about people who are different from him). don't get me wrong: vote and don't check out! please be involved, care, and do your research (maybe if we all do this time, next time we won't be stuck with two candidates who, in my opinion, are so hard to vote for). just please don't put all your eggs in that certain candidate's basket, okay?
this morning i overheard a guy say "if trump doesn't win, i'm going to need to go to the psychiatrist every day." i think his eggs are all in that basket. i think he needs to think about what he just said. the problem is, we're all thinking that the problems are "out there" or with the other party, and choosing the right party will make everything right again. we fail to reflect on what is broken within our own hearts that is contributing to all the brokenness "out there" that needs to be fixed and put right so desperately. do not forget that, as Christians, we belong to a different kingdom, and that kingdom is run by Someone really worthy of our devotion, respect, trust. Someone who is ultimately just, ultimately good, ultimately respectable. He matters most. let Him be on your minds when you cast your ballot and take a deep breath, okay? then spend your energy with God focusing on how you can fix brokenness in your heart.. biases and bitterness and jealousy and insatiability and whatever else is gripped around your heart like it's gripped around mine and become the best neighbor, community member, friend, family member you can be. let's do that.
p.s. if you're looking to hear my specific political thoughts or want to share yours with me or just wrestle through politics with me, i kind of love those conversations and i can be a very safe place for you- whichever side you fall on! (people i love, respect, and admire are on both sides!) just wanted to throw that out there.
be back soon! (lol, i really shouldn't make this promise)
lex.