Wednesday, November 5, 2008

Where were you...

...when you learned Barack Obama was our new president?

I was sitting in our little living room, nursing our six-month-old baby girl at 3.30am. Her little fists were clenched, her eyes shut tight, and she was content and trusting. She's just a few pounds, a few months, a few inches removed from my womb. She is undoubtedly the same child who, one year ago, was the size of a peanut and was making me sicker than the plague. A gift.

My heart was too full to speak: Change our hearts, Lord.

UPDATE: Read this from Tom Hoopes. It's so, well, balanced. Annie's point (in the comments on this post) is well-taken. Although--because I must be faithful to truth, goodness, and beauty--this election didn't offer any real choices in terms of the vote, the GOP ticket wasn't perfect. I am grateful to have had a choice at all... and that the election's outcome clarifies what was gray. From the Feminine Genius: "Since the Catholic vote went predominantly to pro-abortion candidates, it behooves us to pray hard and work hard for a restoration of authentic truths." Obviously, our approach to "preach without words" hasn't worked very effectively: human beings need words and actions and prayers. Rational creatures of speech, living out the truth in action, articulating that truth... all these cry out for renewed effort and vigilance. And the need for authentic witness to authentic truths is a cry to both parties, to all rulers of every age.

6 comments:

Annie said...

If only the pro-life position weren't united with the rest of what the republican party stands for...

Anonymous said...

I was online, as usual, as events unfolded -- and pleasantly surprised that a sense of calm descended. The prayers and sacrifices of good folk will not be in vain, though the landscape will not be what we'd hoped for. Bright lights will shine with greater force in the darkness. Blessings on your dear child, PM.

Jennifer @ Conversion Diary said...

Great post. I keep asking myself, what are we going to DO about this? So sad.

Anonymous said...

Most important for me was the reminder to not demonize this president -- especially as I have deplored the demonization of George Bush. Next important thing: to rest all things in the loving hands of God. And to rejoice in the beautiful signs of hope He gives every day, like Miriam and Isabella!

GMD said...

Erika,

I couldn't help but point out that the fact that voters who define themselves as pro-life and still voted to elect Barack Obama as president is almost besides the point. If McCain had been elected, the problem of abortion or the proverbial "culture of death," wouldn't disappear (nor would it if Roe was overturned). Yes there's the Supreme Court and blah blah blah, but what happened in SOUTH DAKOTA and CALIFORNIA should be much more problematic for you than the election of Obama. Voters in California voted AGAINST Proposition 4, which would have required parental notification for minors to procure an abortion; Voters in South Dakota voted AGAINST Measure 11, which would have banned most elective abortions (except in cases of rape, incest, or health of the mother). I should point out also, that South Dakota went to McCain. At least 10% of voting South Dakotans (sp?) voted for the so-called "pro-life" candidate and then voted against a "pro-life" policy. Similarly, in California, more people voted to "Eliminate the Right for Same-Sex Couples to Marry" than they did for the parental notification measure. These are the priorities of voters...hmmm.

earthie said...

Precious Erika, I was in the living room the morning of. Interestingly, I was the only teacher all day who had no problem whatsoever with students too excited to do work. There was not a word said in my presence-- and I had never said one word about it either (which I think is okay, given their 16-yr-old non-voting status).

I think there will be a huge turnout this year for the March.

I just hope he believes in democracy (and thus not in the FOCA, which essentially would deny the people the right to advocate for their position)