When I was a little girl, someone asked me what I believed in and I replied that I was a “Protestant Republican”. I, of course, didn’t know what any of that meant back then. I’m sure I was just regurgitating what I had heard someone in my family say, but that was who I was.

A couple little disclaimers before I get going here:
One, I’m one of the least political people I know. So the following post is just a few of my thoughts in the middle of an election fraught with so much negativity and confusion and fear.
Two, I believe that voting is a right and a privilege but not an obligation (as I heard someone recently say, we all have the right to bear arms but that doesn’t mean we all must own guns). We CAN vote – and that is a gift – but we don’t HAVE to vote – which is an equal gift.  With all that said…

When I think of casting a vote for someone, that holds weight. If I’m going to vote for someone, it means to me that I am aligning myself with this person. That I am saying I agree with a majority of what this person stands for. That I am saying I support this person’s choices on my behalf. That I am saying I would go to bat for this person who is supposed to be going to bat for me.

A vote means something.

Because of that…

I cannot vote for Donald Trump. There seems to be a baseline immaturity, disrespect and downright lack of kindness in his character that is deeply concerning to me, and I cannot support someone who disparages women and other races (and whoever he’s upset with in the moment). #nevertrump

So, does that mean I am voting for Hillary Clinton?

No, I cannot vote for Hillary Clinton. (The little-girl-feminist inside of me wishes I could, you gotta know.)  Our values don’t align, but the biggest reason I cannot is that there seem to be too many hidden things we as a public just don’t really know about. And I cannot support someone who I do not trust. #iamnotwithher

So, does that mean I am not voting at all?

I intend to vote. I plan to write in the name of one of two choices that I’m still prayerfully thinking through.

Will my vote matter?

It may not matter in the numbers. But it will matter in my heart and in my conscience.

This election is an interesting one. I was going to say scary, but I don’t want to be the kind of person who lives in or perpetuates fear. Because here is what I know to be true:

No matter who ends up sitting in the Oval Office for the next four years – seriously, no matter who – God will remain sitting on his throne.

And that trumps everything.

God changes times and seasons;
he removes kings and sets up kings;
he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.
-Daniel 2:21 (ESV)

If struggling to stay close to God during a hard season, click here for some thoughts. 

Life isn't always how we want it. When change seems elusive, and we're stuck in old routines, a gentle push or some self-reflection can make a difference. Let these questions be that nudge to get you moving.

You have Successfully Subscribed!