October is a glorious month. The melancholy of September fades and a riot of color, scent, and bluster enchants our senses. And it begins with my birthday- October 1! I spent my birthday in Atlanta with friends and family. After 71 trips around the sun this old gal has been blessed to experience life’s highs and lows. One of the lowest lows was the loss of my middle child, Jay Chapman, back in 2009 when he was aged twenty-eight. You can learn more about Jay here.
As tragic as that loss was our family’s desire to honor and memorialize him resulted in an annual golf tournament that takes place each year in October. The 15th annual JCMF tournament was a rousing success. Over $17,500 was raised to benefit Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta and teacher scholarships at the University of West Georgia. We could not have done it without our amazing team of sponsors, players, volunteers, and donations. Thank you to everyone who contributed to make this tournament the best ever. You can see more here.
I understand discussing politics is NOT the way to win friends and influence people, but I want to share some random ramblings. I do not believe anyone is unaware that as of the writing of this post there is an eminent presidential election. By the time of my next blog post, we shall know the outcome. I’ve kept my mouth closed until now. If you have read my posts you probably know what side of the fence I am on politically. I voted yesterday so nothing anyone says or does at this point is going to influence my vote. I will not unfriend or turn against any who disagree with me, unless they get “ugly” and viciously attack me personally or spiritually. I appreciate reasonable discourse. The gloves are off! After all, history has shown that silence can be deadly. WARNING- disrespectful ugly comments will not be tolerated.
As I thought about this, I was reminded of Martin Niemoller’s infamous statement.
“First they came for the socialists, and I did not speak out because I was not a socialist. Then they came for the trade unionists, and I did not speak out because I was not a trade unionist. Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out because I was not a Jew. Then they came for me and there was no one left to speak for me.”
Considering this, I am going to speak out. Hold onto your seats- I am going to preach! My first instinct was to add to Niemoller’s statement.
“Then they came for the teachers who spoke their heart, the doctors who had compassion, the authors who wrote the books, the immigrants who did the jobs no one else would do, the people who were not lily-white, those who were intellectually challenged, those who lived on the streets because they had no home, those who fought back against injustice, those encased in prisons of mental illness and addictions.”
Jesus himself compiled a comprehensive list when he preached the Beatitudes. The list could go on and on. The infamous they are named as those who come for the others whom Jesus called blessed. Who are they? Liars, swindlers, predators, power mongers, evil-hearted, law breakers who place themselves above the Lord God Almighty himself. Or they may be as seemingly innocuous as those who keep their silence, those who forfeit their right to vote, those who do not think for themselves and jump on bandwagons like lemmings pouring over a cliff. This list goes on and on too. Where in these lists do you place yourself?
Most of my readers know that I am a Christian. I am a follower of Jesus Christ. I find it interesting that the word Christian has also become a political weapon. People, including myself, are accused of not being a Christian if they vote a certain way. It is not our place to judge, and one cannot be certain of or question another’s relationship to God. Interesting, considering that so many Christians believe and support a man who is a convicted felon, adulterer, and bigot who claims to be a Christian. Who am I to say he is or is not? Who are you to say I am or am not?
God himself appoints all nations and leaders in the fullness of his time and purpose. Thank you to Bob Shands, an online friend with whom I occasionally share reasonable discourse, for providing this link about the rise and fall of nations. Here is another perspective on the idea of a Christian nation. Before you get your back raised like the proverbial cat, read with an open heart and open mind.
Who are we to understand the mind of God? He is unfathomable. God himself ordained that man is “. . . a little lower than the angels.” Hear it here. How can we be so presumptuous as to place ourselves on his level, even going as far as to imprinting our name on his holy written word? God does not need any endorsement.
I hate that the word liberal has been appropriated as a political football. Merriam-Webster explains the original word meaning was related to a free man; generous, abundant, not bound by authoritarianism, big-hearted, unselfish. All qualities admired among civilized people. How has that mutated to mean something so many find disgusting and un-American?
Think for yourself.
Vote your conscience.
Be kind.
Love your neighbor.
Pray for America.
Scroll down to share your thoughtful and respectful comments.
Do not be silent and vote your conscience.
That’s sound advice, Janet.
Two things I’d like to add that stays on my mind regarding the rhetoric of the election:
1) King David’s sinful journey and, yet, God wanted him as a leader (and others like Moses who only “made a “C” in Asyrian”). A minister said this in a sermon years back. Thought it was cute.
2) I used to say that a woman had a right to do what she wanted with her own body, but it was still murder of the unborn. I still believe women should have a right to control their own bodies… but now it is not theirs alone. It is shared by the unborn human residing in her.
Terrible dilemma.
There are certain circumstances with #2.
Thank you Joanna for your thoughtful response. A terrible dilemma indeed. As is this election!
Thanks Janet, For saying things so many are afraid to. I wonder what are on the minds of women who support a misogynistic man who supported the overturning of Roe vs Wade and bragged about putting the supreme court justices in power who were instrumental in that ruling. He set women back over 50 years! He claims he loves women, yes as objects! I feel sorry for our sisters, daughters, nieces and granddaughters who are now being told what they can and cannot do with their own bodies. Janet I haven’t seen you since we met on our trip to Ireland with Gate1, but I look forward to your postings, your honesty and your books.
Hi Donna – nice to hear from you – thank you for your thoughtful response.
Thank you, Janet for speaking and telling the truth and letting the message grow. May God bless you.
Thank you David. I always appreciate your responses.
“It is never about just one opinion, yours or mine, but it is ALWAYS about the truth.” Trudy Wells-Meyer
I am impressed by your words, Janet
THANK YOU!
I wish everybody could read your profound words. . . .
Thank you Trudy. And it’s so hard to know the truth these days. One day, when the kingdom comes, the truth shall be revealed.
Beautifully said Janet!
Thankyou Rachel🙂