Faith Through the Journey

This morning I awakened way too early for a Saturday morning–why would anyone want to wake up at 5 am when they didn’t have to?? I thought I might channel surf for awhile, hoping to go back to sleep for a little longer. Instead, I found a documentary about Laura Bush, one of the kindest, most gracious first ladies we have ever been privileged to have as a nation. With the extremely intense political week we have had, it was very timely for me to see a high profile political wife.

Mrs. Bush helped her husband campaign unsuccessfully for congress early in her marriage to George W. Bush, and secretly hoped that might be the last campaign she would need to work in for her husband. They both helped George’s father in his presidential campaigns, and then Laura settled in as a “baseball wife”, as her husband was then the managing partner of the Texas Rangers. When he decided to run for governor of Texas, she was off to campaign again, this time with a different result. Through each successive–and successful–campaign, she was by her husband’s side. They usually campaigned together, although she went back to Austin every couple of days to be with their daughters as well. Even though she took on other important projects during her days as first lady of Texas and then as first lady of the United States, her most important role was to be George’s wife, his rock, the one constant in his life. More than one person commented that she viewed her main responsibility as making sure that the wives and families of visiting dignitaries were comfortable and cared for, whether in Washington or at the ranch in Crawford, Texas. The “nurturing” side of Laura Bush was never more evident than on September 11, 2001, as she was most concerned for the nation’s children and making sure that they felt safe and cared for at that most frightening time.

Mrs. Bush had to endure some of the most cruel, dishonest, unfair criticism ever leveled at an American president. During those times, she could have challenged (and won against) many of the unkind and untrue words being spoken about and to her husband. As a wife, I know she probably wanted to lash out at those who perpetrated lies, and yet she remained a gracious lady who chose to rise above such unjust criticism. Those who know her best know that her calm should NEVER be interpreted as weakness, and when she makes up her mind her determination will never be shaken.

I understand why I was up early today, why I “happened” to find this documentary at 5 am on a Saturday morning. Having spent most of the week with a knot in my stomach that had nothing to do with surgery or Crohn’s Disease, the political side of our lives has been extremely pressure-filled. Granted, the office my husband is running for is within the Republican Party of Texas, we don’t have to campaign for months on end and spend bazillions of dollars. Nevertheless, when untrue and unkind words are spoken and unfair tactics are implemented, it makes me very angry at those who would stoop to such levels. My husband is one of the most decent, honest, hard-working people I have ever known, and for people who don’t know him well to make comments or statements in total ignorance of facts is incredibly frustrating. However, as a political wife, I cannot let my feelings about these things overtake me and say things I would later regret.

There was another Man a little over 2000 years ago who was also unjustly accused, about whom lies and accusations were made and who did not attempt to defend Himself against the charges of unscrupulous men who were out to destroy Him. Some people considered Him weak, not worthy of becoming their leader, and wanted Him to lash out at his accusers and set them straight. He certainly could have–He said He could have commanded the hosts of heaven to come and rescue Him–but that wasn’t His plan. So then, is it any wonder that even now those who seek to obey Him, to follow Him and do what His Word says is true and right, would also be attacked and accused unfairly? We certainly knew going into this campaign that there can be great ugliness in politics, even if statements are completely manufactured. There is always a risk involved in putting yourself forward, essentially making you a target for anybody who wants to take a shot at you. We know the origins of such attacks: Jesus Himself said that the thief (Satan) comes to steal, kill and destroy. Whatever the human attacks look like, we know that they are the enemy’s attempt to derail the plans of God. The only thing God wants us to do is obey; the results are ultimately in His hands, and we are not responsible for the outcomes of the things He leads us to do. Quitting, or even trying to refute every critic that comes along, would be giving the victory to the enemy of our souls.

It is such an honor to live in this country and to be part of the process of trying to help shape the future of our wonderful land. We are blessed with wonderful opportunities, and the main thing we have always sought to do is to honor our Lord. Everything we have comes from Him, and for us to do anything less would be failure. In the scheme of eternity, the only thing that will last about this whole experience is whether we have been obedient and honored Jesus Christ. That is the success that we seek, and if we do that we will have won. Mrs. Bush used this verse on the 2001 White House Christmas Card: “I am still confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13