Election Reflection

The election is over, results are in and I'm just now feeling less depressed. I was traveling for business and was gathered with co-workers in a breakfast room at a Comfort Inn in Parachute, CO to hear the results . Since oil and gas folks are generally pulling for Republicans we were all rooting for Romney. We went to our rooms once an Obama win seemed inevitable (despite a false positive from Karl Rove). For the next three days I was surrounded with people who all wanted to talk things through - it was very helpful.

Since I had to facilitate sessions the next two days I was forced to recover quickly. It pressed me toward God, who was more than willing to help.

My thoughts:

- First I realized that a move toward secularism in this country, and one that is profoundly anti-Catholic, may not be inevitable, but it certainly is probable. I felt deeply grateful. Of all the Christians throughout history, I've received the rare privilege of living in a time when both Church leadership and the culture around me supported me in my faith. The culture during the middle ages was Christian, but the Church leadership at that time was corrupt. In the early centruies the Church leadership was the strongest, but the culture was anything but friendly. Thank you, Lord. When I realize what a rare gift I've received, with Popes who heard you clearly, bishops who teach the truth forcefully (and lovingly), and an American culture that respected my faith and supported my values, I can no longer be angry that the gift is disappearing.

- I was able to hide from the "hurricane" named not Sandy but Obama. I pulled within, found God and really knew what Paul meant when he said:

Think of what is above, not of what is on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God.

I truly believe God cared about the results of this election, but if Christ lived in our times, I also don't believe He would have been obsessed with the process, angry at all that is blue, or despairing at the results. I want to die, with my life hidden in Christ who is perfect, and respond instead of react.

- I will now detach from the process that I obsessed over - in a hopefully humble way rather than an angry detachment. I will turn toward what I can do. Instead of looking to the Supreme Court to reverse Roe v Wade, I'll get training to be a sidewalk counselor. Instead of seeing the HHS mandate reversed, I will continue to demonstrate for religious rights and conscience clauses.

God is good.