Hoping I'm Wrong (and I Often Am).

Like many people, I’ve spent the past day (and some change) in absolute shock. To say I’ve been through an emotional roller-coaster would be an understatement. And to be clear, I am not a democrat. Nor am I a republican. I think our two-party system is a sham, but being I can’t do much about that, I always vote for the candidate I believe will be best for the USA and her future. To that end, as much as I didn’t really like Kamala, I was very unsettled by Trump’s nearly fascist rhetoric. As of now, his number one requirement to being on his cabinet seems to be loyalty to him above all else. History has seen this before and it has never ended well for the country that tried it. So it’s become very hard for me to not see dark times ahead for the US. (Not immediately, it never happens immediately. But it always does happen).

All of that said, I have never hoped so much in my life that I turn out wrong. When President George H.W. Bush left the office of the President and it went to President Bill Clinton, he left a letter in which he said, “Your success now is our country’s success.” And I think about that a lot. So I’m hoping I’m wrong. I’m hoping whatever policies President Trump may implement, they do turn out to be for the good of our country – ALL of our country (except maybe North Dakota; I still hate that state).

I know a lot of people at this point have been talking about finding an exit strategy. It’s hard for me to fault them; there’s a lot of reason for fear for some groups of people. But that won’t be me. Over twenty years ago, I took an oath to defend this nation and its constitution. And I still very much believe in that constitution. I have full trust in the officers above me that our mission will remain the same as it’s always been.

This election has also caused me to reflect on my faith in God. (Once again, I’m not trying to get preachy.) I’m just going to say I can’t believe in an all-powerful God and then believe this isn’t part of His plan. His reasons are (and likely always will be, no matter the situation) beyond my understanding. But it would be preposterous for me to think He’s not in control of all this.

Lastly, I’ve been thinking about love. And how important it is to love regardless of how I want to feel. That’s not to say I can’t feel my other feelings, but at the end of the day if I’m not choosing love, then I’m choosing to give up. On my country, on my faith, and on humanity in general. And I’m just not ready to do that.

One way or another, we are likely headed for interesting times.

Aside from a few quotes (like the HW Bush one mentioned earlier), I’ve had a Bible verse stuck in my head the past 24 hours (that many people I’m sure have correctly guessed I framed this post around). And I’m gonna close with that.

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” – 1 Corinthians 13:13 (NIV)