What Will We Say?

"What will I tell my kids?" 

At just one day short of two weeks out from what has been called the most polarizing election in recent history, this question continues to ring in my ears and stir my heart.

I purposely, for my own sanity, let go of my ties to Facebook during the last weeks leading up to the election.  Since then, I’ve visited only a handful of times, and much like many of you, am saddened to see the arguments continuing. 

And again…that question…what do I tell my kids?  I’ve decided accepting the risk that my opinion on this topic may be less than palpable to all is worth saying what God has recently and gently reminded me. 

First, this question – ‘what do I tell my kids?’ is not a new one for parents.  In my life as a mom, I’ve had to explain 9/11, the death of two grandparents- one of which we’re unsure knew the Lord, human cloning, the decision of a father who left, and why Pluto is no longer a planet (not sure I get that one myself!).  

My parents had to explain things like Vietnam, Watergate, Patty Hearst, the Iranian Hostage Crisis, why there was no gas, and why Luke Skywalker mattered.

My parents’ parents had to explain World War, television, and why rock-n-roll was evil.

The point is, our need to explain a polarizing election and its outcome is no harder than anything our parents explained to us, or our grandparents explained to them.  Some discussions are harder than others but at least we’re having them.  Having them means we’re giving our kids tools to look at and respond to the world they live in. 

The hope is we’re giving them the right glasses to see that world. Will those glasses be ones of self? In other words, will we allow our kids to perceive the world in such a way that it’s all about how the events of this life affect them and them alone?  OR…will we give them glasses that are focused on a bigger picture…on a bigger purpose? 

As Christians we know God is in control.  This doesn’t mean we have no responsibility. In actuality, He gives us a great deal of responsibility. Responsibilities like loving others the way He loves us- even if we disagree with them. Responsibilities like respecting authority- even if we don’t always want to.  Responsibilities like putting Him and His Kingdom first- above any and ALL other agendas.

I’m not immune to explaining things to my kids- even though they are men at this point.  We agree and we disagree on many things, but there is one thing that unifies us…we recognize that God knows WAY more than we do. We may not always understand everything else, but that, we can be sure of.

So, what will we tell our kids? How about this…

God is the beginning. God is the end. God is in the messiness of this world. He is at work.  We can trust Him.  The rest is just stuff.  God wins.  Every.Single.Time.

Isaiah 46:8-11- Remember this, keep it in mind, take it to heart, you rebels. Remember the former things, those of long ago; I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me. I make known the end from the beginning, from ancient times, what is still to come. I say, ‘My purpose will stand, and I will do all that I please.’ From the east I summon a bird of prey; from a far-off land, a man to fulfill my purpose. What I have said, that I will bring about; what I have planned, that I will do.