Its the day after the general election here in the United States and while we still aren’t sure who will be president in the next 4 years what we do know is that there have been a lot of words said and a lot of feelings felt over the course of the last several years. Families and friends have found themselves divided on almost every level imaginable and it comes as no surprise that our children, the little sponges that they are, are watching, listening and learning each step of the way.
No matter how you may feel about the individuals that were presented to the American people as political candidates it is our job as parents and as leaders within the church to make sure that several things are taking place:
- It is our job to make sure that the people we are influencing know the weightiness and importance of participating in the political process. I know its easy to say “I’m not political.” or “I just don’t get involved in politics.” but the truth of the matter is that whether we like it or not we are all involved in the political process. We all have thoughts and opinions on what policies should be made and how they should affect our daily lives. So get involved, know the information, and vote.
- It is our job to educate our children on the political process. Not only on the process in general but we need to be teaching our children how to be informed voters. They need to know where to find information on platforms, policies, and the people that are proposing them. They need to have the tools at hand to know what they believe, why they believe it, and how to find the candidates they believe will best represent those beliefs.
- We have to constantly be reminding not only our children, as they listen and learn, but those we come in contact with daily that politicians are people just like you and me. We are all sinners living in a fallen world. Some of those politicians have stated they they are brothers and sisters in Christ. It’s not our job to decide where they stand with the Lord but it is our job to remember that they are creations of God, made in His image. We are to love them, we are to pray for them, and we are to respect them. Not because we may agree or disagree with their policy but because they deserve a level of human dignity that we all do.
This week Dusty and I sit down, as election results begin to pour in, and we discuss these topics. We share how we communicate the political process to our kids and to the people God has called us to lead within the church. And we try to remind our listeners as much as ourselves that at the end of the day we are to live with respect, love one another, and serve Christ just as we did they day before the election and as we will continue to do well after this election cycle has come and gone.
So grab a cup of coffee or tea, your favorite soda, or a big refreshing glass of water and join in as we discuss what it means to be raising future voters.
Ep. 030: Small Groups and Community Outreach – The Married and Replanting Podcast
A Wise Woman in Progress 