Post-Election.... prayers and concerns

Last night, Caleb was glued to the TV watching the election results. In fact, David and I were doing other things but he just wouldn't leave the TV. Occasionally, he would yell out the results of various races, and I was amazed at his commitment to follow them. I don't know to many kids who gave a rip about the election much less spend time watching the results.

So, when I told him it was time for bed at 9:00, he was honked off because he couldn't finish watching the results, even though I told him it was FAR from over and it would be several hours before we knew anything (although at that point in time, we had a pretty good inkling of the outcome). David promised him he would get him up early so that he could check the news before breakfast. Unfortunately for all of us.... he forgot!

Each night when Caleb goes to bed, one or the other of us prays with him - we pray, and then he prays - pretty simple, huh? When I prayed last night, I asked that God would work the election according to His plan and purpose.

This morning when Caleb got up, he immediately went to the TV to see what was happening, and to learn the outcome. With tears in his eyes, his first question was, 'Dad, WHY didn't you get me up early like you promised?" His next comment was, 'Mom, you prayed last night that God would work the election to his plan and purpose. He's done just that, and this must be what God wants for us at this time.'

And to that, we both said, 'Yes, Caleb. We may not agree with some of the views or ideals held by our new President, but sometimes God uses these things to grow us, and make us stronger and no matter how we feel, we should be respectful of our leaders.' And so my prayer now is......

Dear God - Grow us like never before and if takes making us weak to make us strong, then break us down God. Help us to keep our focus on You! Help us to honor and respect our leaders which ultimately, honors Your plan and purpose for our lives. I believe that you have guided us here because it's where you want us to be. I continue to pray God that you would protect our leaders from Satan, and that you would create in them the desire to seek your guidance and direction. I continue to thank you for a country in which we can worship freely and express our opinions, and I pray that you would cause us to be in a constant state of prayer for our leaders so that we continue to enjoy those freedoms. In all that we do, may we be a Godly example not only to our children, but to others who may have different ideals and beliefs than our own.

I pray that we WOULD worship freely - holding nothing back - giving our best - giving our all. Create in us a hunger and a yearning for you God, and help us to be obedient and pliable so that we become the people you desire us to be. You are the potter - we are the clay. Mold us, dear God.

Amen.