Last night my six year old daughter became very distraught. You see, we have an advent calendar we put up after Thanksgiving along with our other Christmas decorations. Some time yesterday I had absently noted the date marker to be on the fifth when indeed it was the second of December, so I had switched it. Well it seems my daughter became quite upset when she realized it wasn’t as close to Christmas as she thought. She’d been counting down from the first since November, and I had to explain the way things worked. No matter the reality of the date she couldn’t be consoled. I tried to explain to her the bigger picture and suggested that instead of disappointment she embrace joy over the anticipation that December brings. She wasn’t having it though.
Over the past couple of weeks I’ve seen continued anger, frustration, and voiced angst over the outcome of the presidential election, and I can get that I suppose. I’m not downplaying anyone’s feelings over the election. What I am doing is simply asking a question. What is the benefit of complaining about President-Elect Donald Trump?
I understood the initial emotional upheaval, and you’ll notice I remained mostly silent afterwards. I didn’t say “stop whining” like some folks did, and I didn’t publicly voice my opinion of the protests, though I had one. I understood that feelings need to be vented. That’s ok. But eventually you have to understand reality, and here it is.
You can say all you want “not my president,” but that will not change the fact that he is. Or soon will be. Your hurt feelings, disbelief, and/or shock do not magically transform the poll numbers. And while your personal feelings and opinions are of value, they don’t change a thing in the grand scheme of this matter. The fact is that Donald Trump was elected POTUS. Now our collective responsibility is to move forward.
So if voicing complaints or disgruntlement about the president won’t change who is president then what’s the benefit? Some may say, “well, it makes me feel better,” or perhaps “I need my voice to be heard.” Okay. But what does that resolve for us as a nation?
*insert crickets
We are a big boy country, and it’s about time this United States of America started acting grown. We cannot resolve our differences and move forward if we simply complain about where we disagree. Especially without actual solutions being brought to the table. If we are to achieve any of the things we say we wish to achieve then we must get on the same bus. We must become of one accord, so that even if we do disagree on key issues we still can seek to work together to come to a common goal. Sharing angry articles on social media is not how we achieve this.
My kiddo could become sullen over her disappointment that it was December 2nd instead of December 5th, yet her emotions and attitude didn’t suddenly make it December 5th. She could keep being angry and feel personally attacked by reality or she could move on and enjoy the season. I know it’s a juvenile analogy, but haven’t some of us been acting pretty juvenile? It’s kinda fitting.
The facts as I see them are this. We live in a great country. We have freedoms and luxuries we take for granted too much. We live in a country that allows difference of opinion, and none of us will always get our preference. But continuing to complain won’t fix that. It benefits nothing. Personally, as a Christian I place faith in God, so when things don’t go as I desire I can trust His sovereignty. In the end you have to fall on faith because continued bickering isn’t what will make this nation great. Only when we come together will anything of merit be achieved. Is this the complete and total answer to the very real problems we have in our country? No. But it’s certainly a good place to start.
Lisa Pierce says
Indeed!
Junette Harper says
Well said