The morning after

As I sit here in quiet gratitude to God for another day, I reflect on Tuesday. We voted; it was Election Day.

I recalled driving to the designated polling place, as I reviewed for the last time, the candidates of my choice and the reasons why I would give them my vote.

After filling out my ballot, I stood there for a moment and reflected on what I'd done. Gratitude welled up in my heart and tears filled my eyes. How many brave Americans had risked life and limb over the years to protect this wonderful freedom of choice? Choosing our own leaders and way of life in this wonderful country of God-given rights, is a gift of God's providence.

The election is over now, and the winners and losers are all over the news. Some I voted for made it; some did not. Yet, I understand that the newly elected leaders are the choice of my fellow Americans.

Now it is time for me to get behind the winners and do my part to keep our country free, united, strong and productive. Now it is time to thank God for this privilege of voting and ask His blessing on all our newly elected leaders, and those who lost as well.

In some real way, may they be instrumental in making the words of Ecclesiastes come true: "God has set eternity in the hearts of men ... that everyone may eat and drink, and find satisfaction in all his toil this is the gift of God." Ecc. 3:11-13 NIV

Jean Ross

Hays