The 2020 Presidential election — which began in 2017 – drags on: Forty-eight hours and counting.  it’s been unsettling, waiting.

But, here’s what I told my self in 2016:

Mr. Trump stunned many; nevertheless, the sun is still rising, and the moon showed off, reminding me to look up and away from problems over which I have no control, and get on with what I can control — like my appetite, exercise, the chores, writing and reading.

Right now, I feel like I am in a nightmare and can’t quite wake up.

Why was I expecting anything else from an election in 2020?

Lifting a description of this year from  Jim Denison:

“This is the election 2020 deserves.” . . . the year began as 1974 with impeachment, then it became 1918 with the pandemic, 2008 with the recession, 1968 with street riots, and now 2000 with delayed election results. 

How-some-ever:

If it is rough for us to wait, what about the volunteers who have stayed  at their post, counting the mail-in ballots?

Those folks remind me that America has some great citizens on both sides of the aisle whose conscientiousness is a blooming gift!  It’s their generosity of time and service  that illustrates  how God has preserved  us through some rough times.

He is able to make something out of the mess we are in now, if we ask, beginning in the church. (2 Chronicles 7:14-15)

So too are Americans – when we listen to our better angels.  Who we speak matters.

Not to sound like a Pollyanna, but the girl had a point:

“What men and women need is encouragement.  . . . If a man feels kindly and obliging, his neighbors will feel that way, too, before long. But if he scolds and scowls and criticizes—his neighbors will return scowl for scowl, and add interest! … When you look for the bad, expecting it, you will get it. When you know you will find the good—you will get that…” ― Eleanor H. Porter, Pollyanna

By the way, no matter how grim the news, on the East Coast, the weather has been . . . well, kind: mild, clear, and restorative.

We had an outing the day after the election to a local park overlooking the South River, Quiet Waters. It was glorious just to be outside in FALL sunshine and watch a sailboat glide by on an expanse of blue water.  The outing was a perspective adjuster, a breathing aid, and made another memory that Doug and I shared.

Where we spent the day after the election

Someone greater than we gave us the beautiful vistas . . . reminding us to spend a wee bit more time thinking about God than we do worrying about what will happen if . . .

I sometimes think that God will ask us, ‘That wonderful world of mine, why didn’t you enjoy it more?– Ronald Blythe,  Out of the Valley**

Take some time and watch the leaves turn color today . . . 🙂

The outcome of this presidential election will not be beyond God’s providence. Nor are you and I, dear reader –

Every experience God gives us, every person he puts in our lives, is the perfect preparation for the future that only he can see.”–Corrie ten Boom

Garden of Bright Images Artwork- Harald Sohlberg

Note:

We’re not necessarily doubting that God will do the best for us; we are wondering how painful the best will turn out to be. ~ C.S.  

**Christians Quoting – CREATION