I get emotional when I vote in an election. I feel like I’m making history! Today I was literally teary-eyed in the voting booth because I know what an honor it is to cast my vote. I believe my vote actually makes a difference.
When we got home from voting (and dodging the rain), the kids colored while we listened to A Single Vote from Adventures in Odyssey. It’s one of my most favorite episodes and is perfect for an election day. It tells the story of an every day farmer named Jamison Shoemaker who’s one last minute vote broke a tie and made Madison Marsh the newest Representative. When Marsh was in office, he broke a tie that made James Harridan the next Senator. And James Harridan cast the winning vote to make Texas a state!
Little did run-of-the-mill Shoemaker know he was writing Texas history with his one vote eight years before! I get chills just thinking about it. A single vote.
The best part of the episode is Mr. Whittaker’s takeaway. He quotes Psalm 90, “Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations. Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God.” From everlasting to everlasting. Beginning and the end. Alpha and Omega.
God is, was and will always be. He knows who won the election. He knows how my vote stacks up. And he knows every detail of the next President. But somehow He allows us to be a part of the story. He’s dramatic and loving enough to let us cast our single vote. I don’t believe God’s will always happens on this earth but I do believe God is intimately involved in our actions if we allow Him.
Today, I pray the people of the United States listen to the voice and follow the hand of God. I pray our single votes make an everlasting difference in our world!
Beautiful and very well said!
oh, I know how you feel! I got all choked up this morning praying for the voters, candidates, and the election. My kids were baffled. They don’t get it yet. It’s such an honor and privilege we have!
It is a privilege! And I love going thru all the motions and talking about it with the kids. Even if they don’t get it. The first thing Asa said when we got in the car after voting was, “So, who won?” 😉
a
I like your column on voting, Amanda. I talked a little with my boys (6 and 4) about this election. My son had asked why I would vote for one candidate over another, and I explained how sometimes the decision is made based on our values and what we believe. It was a good chance to share the truth of my heart.
Anyway, I wanted to mention one thing that struck me toward the end of your article. You note that, “I don’t believe God’s will always happens on this earth but I do believe God is intimately involved in our actions if we allow Him.” I’d like to gently disagree that God’s will doesn’t always happen on this earth. I think His will always prevails on this earth and no doubt He is still in control no matter what happens — in elections, every day life, even in sufferings. He just allows us free choice — and our free choice may take us off the path of His will. But His will hasn’t changed nor has it been altered in any way. Part of the reason there are heinous events on this earth is because we live in a fallen world tainted by our sin. But His Will to redeem as many as will call on His name hasn’t changed nonetheless.
Hope this makes sense. I don’t mean to start any disagreement, but your statement seemed a bit misleading.
God bless you and your ministry with this blog!! 🙂
Maybe we’re just using “God’s will” with two different definitions. 🙂 What I mean is, it’s not God’s will for kids to die of starvation or women to be beaten by their husbands. Yet, it happens. God’s will is that all will be saved and come to know Him. Jesus even asked God for His will to be done on earth as it is in Heaven. And clearly, we don’t have heaven here! 🙂
I 100% agree with you that God is in control and above all. But I just don’t think God’s will always happens because there is another free will involved: ours. And people go against His will all the time.
What I’m trying to say is I agree with you. God is neither cosmic chess master nor hands off creator. He gives us free will and still works His will within our lives. I just don’t want to fall into casually shrugging off every event with, “Well, that must have been God’s will” and completely lifting the responsibility off of us to pray, act, etc. Does that make sense?
Thanks for commenting (and listening to my reply!)
a
Thank you so much for your gracious and heartfelt response. I see where you’re coming from now. So your illumination was really helpful to me! I sincerely appreciate it! Grace and peace to you!!
I, too, get emotional when voting. I think of the many people on earth who have no voice in their government, who live under tyranny and risk their lives to vote, and I am humbled at the opportunity in America.
Thanks for sharing the story of the difference 1 vote makes. That was great!
I’m so thankful that no matter what we believe about who won the election each of us can “vote” for our beliefs with our prayers, our time, and our commitment to the causes we believe in. We don’t need the government for that.