Primary Day

I heard her talking behind me as I stood in line.
It was primary day and I was waiting to vote.
I was people watching as I waited.
I waved to a few people I knew as I stood waiting my turn.

I could hear at least three different voices behind me.
They were engaged in conversation.
A young girl was standing in front of me.
A woman behind me was giving her voting instructions.

I could see the young girl’s body language becoming more tense.
She was trying hard to bite her tongue.
Finally, she said quite respectfully, I know how to read, Mother.
I understood the Mother title to be one of frustration.

It was similar to when a mom calls her children by their full name.
At those moments a child knows they better pay attention.
The mother explained to the other women that this was her daughter’s first time voting.
I was witnessing a milestone.

The other women continued to talk behind me.
I heard an elderly voice say, It is my first time voting, too.
I had to turn around.
A small woman smiled at me with a toothless grin.

Yes sir, this is my first time voting! She said proudly.
People around her began to congratulate her.
She looked at me since I was the closest to her and began to explain.
I raised four children all alone and I didn’t have time for such things, she said emphatically.

Her own daughter was standing with her.
That’s right, she said to whoever was listening.
My mother is 83 years old, she told all of us who were standing nearby.
I was witnessing another milestone.

An 18 year old in front of me voting for the first time.
An 83 year old behind me voting for the first time.
I never wanted to vote for anyone before this year, the older woman explained.
I wanted to ask her which candidate impacted her so, but thought better of it.

I was witnessing personal history in the lives of two women.
I thought to myself how everyone has a story.
How I wished I could have listened to the various stories represented in that room.
Since that could not happen, it was enough to be able to witness their milestone.

I saw another woman I remembered from the years my youngest daughter was in preschool.
We talked about the ages of our children.
Her oldest was the same age as my youngest.
She looked confused as she waited in line.

I don’t think I can vote, she said.
I’m an Independent, she informed me.
I believe you have to be registered either Republican or Democrat, she said in disappointment.
I knew I couldn’t vote for the presidential candidate, but I thought I could vote for the others.

I was not sure about the specific rules for Independent voters.
After talking with the 83 year old woman, I looked around the room but didn’t see her.
She was probably right.
She was gone.

A friend of mine works at the polls in her district.
She has done that for years.
She considers it a privilege.
She takes her job seriously.

A few mornings before the primary, she sent an email to a few of her close friends.
It was a precious email from a dear sister in the Lord.
In her mind, there are no small jobs in God’s Kingdom.
Everything we do for Him matters greatly.

Dear Sisters,
Good day to each of you. May I ask for prayer for me and many others working the polls tomorrow?  Would you please ask our Lord to grant me a gracious spirit that holds through the day and all circumstances, that He be my focus and strength, and I find joy in serving Him and the voters?  Thank you.  I love you all.

I responded to my sweet friend:

Praying sweet friend.
God will use you and your sweet spirit greatly.
Press on, mighty warrior!

That is the kind of heart we need in this election process.
A heart that knows the Lord is in control.
A heart that desires a gracious spirit no matter the circumstances.
A heart that desires to have the Lord as her focus and her strength.

That is a heart that knows.
That is a heart that will not be swayed by polls or rhetoric.
That is a heart that stands on the Sovereignty of God.
That is a heart that simply shows up and allows the Lord to take over.

I know my friend.
I know that she sat there and prayed as she greeted people.
I know that she smiled a warm smile seeing the image of God in the person before her.
I know that political differences did not stand in the way of extending grace to others.

That is refreshing.
That is the kind of heart the world does not understand.
That is the kind of spirit the world distrusts, thinking there must be some catch.
That is the kind of spirit we need to see in our leaders.

I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority , that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. (1 Timothy 2:1-4)

In this current political climate, focusing on the Lord Jesus is the only thing that matters.
We see how candidates change their opinions like the wind.
We have God’s criteria for leaders stated plainly in His Word.
As believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, that is the way we make our decisions when we vote.

But select capable men from all the people – men who fear God, trustworthy men who hate dishonest gain – and appoint them as officials over thousands, hundreds, fifties, and tens. (Exodus 18:21)

An 18 year old and 83 year old voted for the first time.
A dear friend took her job very seriously and focused her heart and her prayers on the Lord.
Can we do any less?
In the tumult of politics, there is a calm and a stillness that can be ours.

It is not found in a candidate.
It is not found in a political party.
It is not found in rhetoric or promises.
It is found in Christ alone.

Press on, mighty warrior!