“Bye, Mama!” is the last thing that Audrey Nole says as she gets out of the car and closes the door. She then prances, yes, prances, around the front of the car and runs down the path towards the very tall stairs that enter her school. Usually at about the halfway point up the stairs, she turns around and waves; even with her mask over the lower half of her face, her eyes say all there is to say: Kindergarten is wonderful. I look forward to the stories she tells as we drive home after pick up. Most of the time she gives me the “I forgot” answer to any of the questions I come up with to stir conversation. But eventually, she starts talking and all the things about life as a 5 (going on like 20) year old pour out. She loves school. The social aspect, in particular, has been so good for her, but the learning is pretty much a close - if not tied - second.
This election year has been hard. Not that every election year isn’t hard, but it feels almost irreconcilably divided and polarized. It’s made worse by the vacuum of our social media feeds and the algorithms that continuously feed us the side of the story that will keep us most engaged. In many ways, it makes it hard to see that there even IS another side, let alone be open to dialogue about which side may or may not be right {or perhaps admitting that no side is right, but Christ still reigns}. Not being in fellowship with others just adds to the stress and the division. And yet, Kindergarten strikes again. These precious lives, with sponges for brains, are learning what it is to hold an election. What it means to vote. What a privilege it is to be able to cast a vote, and how important it is that we take that responsibility seriously. (you know, by voting on which type of snack the class should have when they have their class party… spaghetti or pizza anyone?) In many ways, Audrey’s limited experience and understanding of elections is refreshing. For her, it isn’t about the complex levels of policy vs character vs power vs popularity. She doesn’t know that we are supposed to hate the other side. She doesn’t even know that there are two sides. There are just two people, hoping to be President of The United States of America; one nation, under God…. Wouldn’t it be wonderful if reality could resemble that simplicity, even just a smidgen?
Don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating for turning politics into something as simple as a vote between pizza and spaghetti - its far too messy and complicated for that anyway - but what I long for, is civility in the process. If you know me, you probably know which way my vote will be cast. If you don’t, I pray that you would feel loved by me no matter what “side” of this nasty war we call politics you and I fall on. Just like Audrey, I want to pray for our President and for Joe Biden. I want to remember that we are all made in the image of God, and that we are all beloved by our Father - that means Joe, Donald, Kamala, and Mike too. I want to remember that salvation isn’t dependent on politics or their party leaders. Thank God for that. I want to go into each day with the same “Bye, Mama!” enthusiasm and security that Audrey Nole has when she heads into school. I want to shout the Gospel, the by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone, Gospel. I want to hug each and every weary human and remind them, and myself, that hope comes only from Jesus, not politics. That joy is something we choose in each day, and is most completely experienced in Jesus.
Just as Audrey has blossomed in the environment of kindergarten, I want to blossom in motherhood. Just as she enters the world, fearless because she can turn around and I’m there, I want to enter the world knowing God is there. I don’t want my identity to be wrapped up in who I’m voting for or what particular sub-class of people the world has grouped me with. I want to be seen first as Jillian, God’s daughter. Then as wife, mother, sister, friend and very, very, very lastly, as a vote to be earned; not won. My life and identity will continue on after this election. I’m going to continue to remember that my identity in Christ shapes my worldview, which shapes my vote. Yet, regardless of who comes out victorious on November 3rd, the ultimate victory has already been won: Christ defeated death and paid for my sins. THAT is the hope I hold until I’m called to enter eternity.
photo: Megan Osburn