Out of the Mouths of Babes...

My kids got to vote in a mock election at school yesterday while the rest of us were "real" voting. They had been preparing all week for this. Their teachers gave them a run down of each (major) candidate for president and each (once again, major) party. I would overhear conversations between the two of them all weekend about who they thought they would vote for and why. I was asked a few times who I was voting for and decided that I was going to conduct my own little experiment and remain unbiased and keep my vote a secret. My response was "I know who I'm voting for, but I want you to decide for you. So, I'm not going to tell you until after the election." They came home from school yesterday very excited about voting. They both said that they voted for McCain and both for different reasons. It was very interesting to hear why they voted the way they did. Aubrey really didn't like Obama's plans for education and teacher enrichment. Blaine's reasons were a little more disturbing. First he said that Obama doesn't say the Pledge of Allegiance (I know the root of this, but have no idea where he heard it from). Then, he said it's because Obama smokes (I told him I don't think that's true, but I'm not sure.). Their school, as a whole, went to McCain. So, this morning I asked "Do you guys want to know who our new president is?" The answer, of course, was "YES!" I told them Obama won and here is what followed:



Aubrey: "NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!"

Blaine (simultaneously): crying sounds

Me: "It's okay!"

Aubrey (looking at Blaine): "Well, now we're going to be poor! I guess we better start packing."

Blaine (immediately looking at me): "Yep, we're going to lose our house."

Me: "No, we're not. We are going to be okay."

Aubrey: "How do you know that?"

Me: "Because God is in control of everything and He knew who would win president. In fact, He put who He wanted in that position. And, He's going to take care of us!"

Aubrey (to Blaine): "Come on Blaine. Let's pack. We're going to have to live with Maw Maw in Louisiana."

Me: "We are going to be okay!"

Aubrey: "Do you know anyone who voted for Obama?"

Me: "I do." I then named a couple of out of state family members who were Obama supporters.

Aubrey: "Why on Earth did they do that!? Wait, they live in *insert state*!"

Me: "First of all Aubrey, they voted for Obama because they had things they liked better about him just like you had things you liked better about McCain. The thing about having the right to vote is that you also have to accept it when the person you really wanted doesn't win. That's the way democracy works. Everything will be okay. Secondly, they got to vote in *insert state* because the race was for President of the entire United States."

Aubrey: "Are you kidding me!!?? I thought it was for President of Texas! Now, where are we gonna live. Louisiana's not safe either!"



Well, my good counsel may not have helped Aubrey at all, but I'm going to cling to it. God put Barack Obama where he is now. I trust that whether it makes my earthly body happy or not.