I’m scared too.

I watch the news, scroll through the news feeds on social media and my heart is heavy. It isn’t necessarily heavy because of who America has chosen as their President-elect. But, of how America, our America, has chosen to react. 

Look, I’m not fond of politics. I wasn’t necessarily fond of ANY candidate from ANY party. But, like everyone else in America I had to choose. And so, I did.

I’m not here today to tell you who I chose and defend my constitutional right to vote. I’m not here today to bullet list the pros and cons of the candidates. I’m not here today to say which candidate is right and which is wrong. I’m here today because I know that no matter who was chosen as our President-elect one thing would have remained the same: this is still Our America.

We are the people. 

We are the heart. 

We are the voice. 

We as a collective whole chose him. And instead of anger, hatred, destruction, threats on life, how about we stand and be the change we seek?

You can call me naive. You can call me a fool. But, if there is anything I know, I know that right where I stand I can make a change. I can show children they don’t have to fear. I can be respectful. I can show respect to the LGBTQ community. I can fight for woman’s rights. I can stand for my right to bear arms. And the most important of all I can be on my knees praying and knowing God is sovereign and it will be ok.

Listen, like I said before, I’m scared too. There will be change in our great nation that our America hasn’t seen in quite some time. There is already an unsettling feeling in the air. So many are hurt and angry. So many are dumbfounded and confused. There are so many questions. I know, because I have them too. But, here’s the thing, it is still our America. Our America.

I don’t care who sits in the oval – Obama, Trump, Grant, Kirkman (yes y’all, the latter two are fictional characters) – I am still proud to say I am an American. I am proud to be a part of this country. I may not agree with everything that goes on around here but this is still my country. I will still stand with my hand on my heart saying the Pledge of Allegiance. I will still bow my head as the National Anthem is played. I will still stand in a moment of silence for the victims of 9/11, Columbine, Sandy Hook. I, like you, am the heart of America.

There is no secret that I want to see change in this world. I want to be able to walk down my street and feel safe at night. I want to be able to see children walk to school without parents’ fears of being abducted. I want to see the children I help teach every week to be able to live in a world that isn’t full of anger, hatred, and contempt. I want our next generation to know and understand equal rights, be respectful, accept diversity, and love each other. And guess what? It isn’t the job of the new President-elect to fulfill this American dream. It is my job. Your job. Our neighbor’s job. We need to be the voice of the people. It is our job as American citizens to do so.

You want change? Then be the change you seek. The country will be changed by your example not your opinions. There is still hope for our country. Whether you believe it or not, God is in control of all of this. Socrates said it best,

The secret of change is to focus all of our energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.

Let us build, establish, press upon goodness in this new world. Let us show kindness, compassion, and light. I know things seem uncertain right now, but I know sometimes our lives need to be shaken up to get us to be where we need to be. So, I implore upon you, America, be an encourager today. For love conquers all. xoxo