I Voted

I Voted
By Jaci R. Patellis

“I Voted” stickers are worn with pride on Election Day. We all want our say. How thankful I am (as we all should be) we have the ability to do so.

Many of us have become irate, passionate, and evoked with so much emotion it’s caused us to take action at some point throughout this election. We have done so because of the level of trust We, as Americans, place in new leadership and sometimes we’ve done so because of fear. We hold high expectations of the elected officials we declare responsible for fixing and solving America’s problems, both on an individual level and as a country. When we don’t believe the person elected identifies with our core values and ideologies, we become driven by fear and in that, begin to believe what we don’t want to happen will and in some way, we will suffer for it.

How important is it really that our own presidential pick makes it into office? Will the outcome tonight determine our tomorrow? The obvious answer seems to be “yes,” but the real answer is “no.” We will still wake up and care for our children. We will still get up and head off to work. If we are unemployed, we will still look for employment and pray to find work with decent pay. We will still eat, sleep, cry, and laugh. Our lives will not change but, our opportunities will – regardless of who becomes President.

Both candidates have been called a “Savior.” I beg to differ. Although these men and women (from top Washington officials down to county government elected positions) will lead the country in reforming government and changing policies, our trust should always remain in God, not man. Each of us is accountable to God first, then country.

No matter how we cast our ballot, whomever wins tonight, it’s more important we recognize neither candidate can single-handedly change the world; Something they’ve both explained they can do. Changing our nation takes advisors, resources, and input from various sources. It won’t happen in six days and it certainly won’t happen by tonight. These two men are only men, both desiring to fix our countries’ problems using differing political ideologies to lead the Greatest Nation of this world – America.

The only person who can single-handedly change the circumstances in each of our lives on an individual basis placing your priorities above everyone else’s, is our Creator. So, no matter the turn out this evening, we must pray for our leadership (even if we are disappointed in the outcome) instead of harboring an attitude of defeat. We must place our reliance on God to overcome the challenges we face today, individually.

When we place our trust in the Right Hands (God), through our faith (whatever faith that may be) and in prayer, our voices ring out much louder than what can be heard on Election Day; More importantly, it rings out to the One who provides and who can truly change our lives, solving each of our hardships – one family, one person, one heartbeat at a time. I cast my vote. I vote for God to take the lead. I will cast my vote each day for all the rest of the days of my life. I pray you do to.

In God We Trust.
By Jaci R. Patellis
JaciRosePRgirL@aol.com