Here's to...Dinah and the U.S. of A.!

In my last entry I explained how encouragement is a gift from the Lord.  My last entry explained how my dad and close friend have provided a crutch for me at needed times.  I love them both so much! 

The third person I want to touch on is my mom.  I think of her fondly today because election day is tomorrow and she LOVED to vote.  People are so comfortable here.  They truly think America will also be the way it is where we have endless freedoms and the ability to be whoever we want.  Mom saw the attacks against our freedoms and took them seriously.  She did not take well to ignorance or the mass media's deception.  She used to say, "I don't believe these polls.  No one has ever asked me!"  My mom was a firm believer in Conservatism and could talk politics with just about anyone.  She was always informed about pretty much everything.  I firmly believe I got my love of country and interest in politics from her.  My dad was always very interested in politics too, but because I spent more time growing up with my mom I remember her interest in greater detail.  She stressed the importance of being informed to my sister and I. 

She also made me realize that it was wise to dig deeper into issues and not count on what was said on the nightly news.  Growing up we didn't have cable so at 6:30 p.m. every night we ate dinner and watched Tom Brokaw.  I hated it!  My dad was always clear that we had to be informed than form our own ideas.  Even at a young age I was taught critical thinking.  She taught me that just because Tom Brokaw said it doesn't make it so.  She taught me common sense when it came to political issues.  My mom listened to conservative talk radio nearly every day.  I remember being a kid (and teenager) having to listen to talk radio anytime we were in the car between noon and 3 p.m.  Again, I HATED it!  I was a shallow kid.  I believe a foundation was set for me to know the importance of the principles of what has made America.  Mom felt a passion for our great Constitution.   She was still listening to her talk radio from noon to 3 p.m. as she lay in bed too sick with cancer to get up.  Why?  Why would she care?  She was going to see Jesus face to face soon!  Why?  She simply loved her country and knew that her loved ones were going to be left here for awhile.  She would be so excited to vote for love of country tomorrow.

I know that everyone reading this would not agree with my mom's political stance...or mine, but I want to give her the honor she deserves on this election-eve.  So what does this have to do with encouragement?  I'll tell you.  She encouraged me to be the best I could be.  She wanted me to be a critical-thinker over everything not just politics.  She taught me how important common sense was.  She knew that being wise and discerning was a Biblical trait and stressed to me and Christy how God desired us to ask Him for these traits.

2 Chronicles 1:11-12)  God said to Solomon, “Since this is your heart’s desire and you have not asked for wealth, riches or honor, nor for the death of your enemies, and since you have not asked for a long life but for wisdom and knowledge to govern my people over whom I have made you king, therefore wisdom and knowledge will be given you. And I will also give you wealth, riches and honor, such as no king who was before you ever had and none after you will have.”

I would guess that Mom spent our lifetimes praying over Christy and myself.  I don't believe she prayed for us to be happy or comfortable.  I doubt she prayed that we would have a lot of money or popularity.  She knew that the human nature is fickle and what would make us happy one day would change another.  She knew money was worthless and popularity could be a curse.  She knew that Jesus did not live a comfortable life on this earth.  I believe she prayed for us to desire wisdom and to be knowledgeable in the things that matter.  She encouraged us to seek His wisdom.  America is something that matters and I believe that is why she wanted to be as knowledgeable about the workings of government as possible.  I also know she thanked Him endlessly that her girls could grow up somewhere like America.

I feel like I'm rambling a bit and this entry is all connected in my head!  I hope you can make some sense out of it in the end.  Mom had grit.  She helped me to see that there is a great big world out there that does not involve my creature comforts.  She never took fondly to shallow or selfish people.  She was real.  She had a depth of character.  She felt things deeply and encouraged me to be the type of person that seeks Godly wisdom and knowledge on the things that matter above all else. 

So on this election-eve...think of my mom and think of what matters most in your heart as you go to cast your ballot tomorrow.  She was a woman of principle. I encourage you to thank God for the ability we have to vote and seek Him for wisdom as you enter the poll.  So here's to Dinah and to the Red, White, and Blue!