Yes, I'm Disappointed, But I Will Still Try to Follow Christ Every Day

Commentary

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Special to United Methodist Insight | November 7, 2024

To say I'm disappointed with the election results is an understatement, but what already makes our country great, is the right to vote. The right that was given to women long after men had enjoyed the right. To say I'm concerned for my granddaughters, nieces, LGTBQ friends, and friends of color is true. Some think I'm overreacting and that's okay too. I'm glad that's not your reality.

I've heard all the pundits slice and dice why people voted the way they did, I've read FB posts of why they voted and how the radical left, or woke culture, or crazy liberals, or demonic Democrats didn't win. Or how we need to renounce our wicked ways and turn back to God. Or how socialism didn't win. Fine, everyone has their opinion, another great thing. However, I don't fit those labels.

I'm not a crazy liberal, I'm not a socialist. I'm a Christian and I try to live my faith every single day. I try to live a Christlike life every day. I honestly try, note the word try, to live by the most important commandments – Love the Lord my God with all my heart and soul and love my neighbor as myself. Period, full stop. I will add, it's hard and sometimes I don't want to.

I'm also a United Methodist and try to live by those guiding principles: to do no harm, and "Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, in all the places you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can." That means standing up for the marginalized, the voiceless, and so much more.

Lastly, United Methodists have social principles. There are a lot of principles - to mention a few, we are called to be good stewards of our earth, stand up to corporate greed, and realize that there are situations that may lead to the need for an abortion and that decision is between a woman and God. Not the government and God and certainly not me.

So, yes, I'm disappointed. But I will continue to try every day to love my neighbor as myself. I will continue to want affordable housing for my neighbor. I will continue to want healthcare for my neighbor and so much more, even if it means I may pay more in taxes or I may be inconvenienced or even get less.

I don't usually talk about my faith, but I decided I needed to.

And let me be the first to say, God knows how I fall short most days. I am thankful for a God who is loving and forgiving and gives me Grace to start over again and again and again.

Teddi Fulenwider is an educator and serves as children's ministry coordinator for St. Stephen United Methodist Church in Mesquite, Texas. St. Stephen UMC sponsors United Methodist Insight. This post is republished with the author's permission from Facebook.