Faith Through the Journey

During the past 2+ years, I thought I had become immune to the criticism of those who might have something to say about my husband that could be construed as negative. After all, my husband is one of the most decent, honest, caring people who has ever walked the face of the earth! He has the compassion and caring that everyone loves, while being able to work with with just about anyone. I wish that I were as non-controversial as he is, because there are times I express my opinions in less than diplomatic language! He is truly God’s gift to me, and he continually tells me that I am the smartest person he knows. With him, I feel free to express my opinions and then stand with him in support of his position as chairman of the GOP in our county. He will never compromise on three issues: his God, his family, and his country. Those are the only issues about which I have ever seen him rise up and be indignant. We have been married 30+ years, so I have seen him in just about every situation imaginable. He has been with me for the births of our three children, 6 major surgeries (the latest of which I am still recovering from), the deaths of both of his parents and my father, and the other thousand things that can fill 30+ years of life! About 20 years ago, when I was extremely busy as a stay-at-home mom of 3 young children still battling Crohn’s disease, we made the decision together that we needed to be more politically involved. Each time he came to me with a desire to be involved in a particular arena, I was completely supportive. Not that I didn’t want to myself, but at that point in my life I really couldn’t be in the middle of the fray. During my high school and college years, I think I ran for everything I could. I really wanted to be involved and make a difference whenever I was able, but at this point in my life I needed to concentrate on being a mom to Andy, Lindsay and Courtney. I think I made the right choice, because as I look at them today, they are all incredible adults. I was there when they took their first steps, when they learned their letters and numbers and read their first words, and all of the other wonderful moments in their lives to which I was witness.

That being said, I knew that my husband was in the midst of battles, caring for his family on every front. He has ALWAYS been motivated by the desire to ensure that his children would grow up in the same America we had known, the one where they could pursue their dreams and raise our future grandchildren in the wonderful country we love so much. So, I guess that we could eventually expect that someone would view him as other than the incredible man that he is, one who knows that being meek is not the same as being weak. The definition of meekness is “strength under control”. That is the essence of my husband. No one will ever back him into a corner, and those who might try will find themselves grossly undermatched. He will NEVER be weak, and I am so proud of him every time he stands in the public arena as spokesman for our county GOP.

My wonderful husband has courageously stepped forward to seek another office within the state party of Texas, knowing that every time he puts himself forward there will be detractors for a number of reasons. Nonetheless, our conviction was that this was the right season of our lives to seek this position. Praying for God’s will and seeing no red lights, we have forged ahead with this challenge. Knowing that there have been men and women of faith that have been unsuccessful in the earthly political arena, we know that it’s a risk. Our continuous plumb line has been “What does God want?” We never want to miss an opportunity that God puts before us, so my husband has entered the arena, leaving the results with God. All He asks for is our obedience. How can we disobey our Lord as He opens a door and asks us to step through it? The results are with the King of Kings…the Ultimate Ruler of the universe! Whatever the election results are, we can stand before our Lord knowing we obeyed Him. “If God is for us, who can be against us?” Romans 8:31