From the Heart
With Liberty and Justice for all …
As I walked up the steps of the Hamilton County Judicial Center, I felt the weight of the envelopes I was carrying. Chuck and I had voted on mail-in ballots but I wanted to carry them to the voter office.
In my envelope was my voice. I prayed as I handed them to the gal at the table. Please Lord …
Heal our nation.
We are broken. We are hurting. We are divided.
So much shouting. So much blaming. So much anger.
I listen to the news and I feel sad.
What am I supposed to believe? Some lean to the left. Some lean to the right. All I hear is, Fight, Fight, Fight.
While I am sad for myself, I am sadder for my children and my grandchildren. It’s their future that matters most.
I remember as a child in the 60s watching the news and seeing the visual anger of the fight over desegregation. It was ugly, yet it seemed so far away. I was sheltered. I was White.
As a teenager I watched the news as the fight here in the United States was over the conflict in Vietnam. Actually, war was never declared. Tell that to the now older men who fought there. No, tell them that you appreciate their service.
Now, I stand a little straighter with my hand over my heart whenever the “Star-Spangled Banner” is played. I want to show my respect and appreciation to the men and women who have fought for my freedom. It’s the way I see it. It’s the way my 65-year-old heart sees it.
I pray that someday we will see a nation, united, for the safety and freedom and justice and respect for all. Please Father God, don’t let it be another 9/11 that brings us together.
I pray that my Black and Hispanic friends feel safe and respected. I pray that my law enforcement friends feel safe and respected. Please Lord, protect them.
I pray for communication between races that will lead to a new empathy for all. Lord, let us see the truth whenever and however it is hidden. Let my voice help to expose it. Anoint my voice.
Lord, give us strength and wisdom to stand up against those who speak with hate. Words do matter. My words matter. Anoint my words.
I’m an old-fashioned, scripture-reading grandmother who still believes that if we, as a nation, will humble ourselves, pray, seek the face of God and turn from our wicked ways … God will heal our land. 2 Chronicles 7:14.
2 Samuel 24:25: “The Lord was moved by prayer for the land.”
I believe that what is taught in the home will determine what is carried out in the nation. Anger breeds anger. Love breeds love. Let every home be aware of what they are breeding.
I pray that we can be One Nation, Under God, with Liberty and Justice for All.
Father God in heaven, I pray we treat others, who vote differently from us, with respect and kindness. Heal the broken relationships caused by politics. Stinking politics.
I can dream. I can hope. I can pray.
And … I can vote. So can you. Every vote matters.