I believe one of the greatest gifts we have as human beings is choice. We are not robots forced to take a certain path. We are not formed on an assembly line of identical parts put together to mimic the models made before us, and to be the same as those that will follow. We have been formed uniquely to fulfill a specific purpose, a specific need. As pieces of an enormous jigsaw puzzle with each piece formed to interlock with another, creating a unit which represents all of the individual pieces and revealing a unified “big picture” that is greater than each of us separately.

Our likes and dislikes, the things we enjoy and those we simply tolerate. The flavors of our favorite ice cream or our favorite color are not the same as everyone else’s. Coffee or tea, deep dish or thin crust, the mountains or the sea are all choices, we get to choose. While some of us have commonalities in our choices none of us are exactly alike. Even identical twins, brought up in the same environment have their unique qualities and gifts.

Our manufacturer, our maker, our creator made us deliberately on purpose to be unique! Because of that we are inherently different yet we all share the ability to make choices!

As we, in the United States move toward the national election scheduled to take place on Tuesday, November 6th I ask, no I implore you to prayerfully make choices. You can certainly ask you neighbor or seek advice from a friend, however you have a choice! Think critically; study the ballot measures and the candidates. Go to the various websites; study the guides available on the matters pending for your approval. If you have not registered to vote yet, Monday, October 22nd is the last day to get that taken care of before this election.

Take time over this next week to review the candidates, what they truly appear to support. Look for the signs, the red flags the indications that you are making a good choice. Many of you take months to make a purchase after diligent research. Is not your part in the direction of this country as important?

Do not become apathetic and affirm your vote won’t count. If you meet the eligibility requirements to vote, you have been given a choice and by not voting you are choosing. You are choosing to disrespect the countless individuals that have lost their lives and sacrificed their freedoms to allow you the opportunity to exercise your power to choose!

Is there the possibility that you could make a wrong choice? Can the person or measures that you feel strongly about being a success fail? Yes and yes however, that does not make your choice any less valuable. The existence of choice acknowledges that some of the options are good; some are better and some well not so much. In my mind not voting is not so much.

Whatever your choice choose knowing that you are using your gift in the best way you possibly can. Voting is a privilege with privilege comes responsibility. Pray, do your homework, vote early, and in a few weeks when the results are announced, be ready to roll up your sleeves and be involved. Regardless of the outcomes you will again have the choice to do your best to be part of the solution.

Because our Creator knows that we do not always make the best choices He has a plan to override our missteps. When all of the puzzle pieces have had a chance to be in place He will finish the “Big Picture”. Only He can fill the gaps and complete the work He started in the beginning. So know that the choices you and I make in this election process may be flawed however, as we do His will He will always provide a way out. Let us seek first the kingdom and His way of doing and being right and all things will be added. (Matthew 6:33)

Love,
Deborah
“Lighting the path to loving your neighbor as yourself!”