I got up this morning to a gloomy rainy day in Austin, tired from staying up late to watch election results and pre-coffee cleaning of an epic poop-splosion by the toddler (it went all directions:  both up her back and down into her toes, dripped from the crib onto the carpet…so yeah, I woke up with bells on.)  However, this was a cringe-worthy wake-up-call for the history books:  the outcome of Election 2016 was finalized.  Donald Trump is President.  For me, the news was shocking, sobering, imminently grave, and unshakably disappointing.  Note:  Republican friends, ya don’t have to stop reading here…this post is not about Hillary, it’s about Jesus.This selfie snap = my mood driving from home this morning:  angry Mozart on blast and wearing head-to-toe black, almost as if in mourning for the future of our nation.  Well, the Lord has a way of speaking to our hearts at exactly when we need to hear Him, amen?  I’m thankful the Pastors at the church where I attend a weekly parenting lecture series decided to be dynamic and timely and go off book to take a minute addressing what was weighing on all our hearts.  Before we began our regularly scheduled “Fearless Mom” lesson, the leaders took a few minutes to advise us mamas on how to talk to our kids about the election.The full video of their 17-minute message is linked above, but from my notes, I wanted to share some Scripture-based takeaways that helped me begin to Keep Calm and Carry On:

• 1 Chronicles 28:20 — Tell your kids to be courageous (and model that behavior!)
  • David also said to Solomon his son, “Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail you or forsake you until all the work for the service of the temple of the Lord is finished.”
• 1 Timothy 2:1-4 — Honor the office and pray for those with the position to succeed
  • I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people, for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
• Hebrews 13:8 — In an uncertain era, we cling to the truth
  • Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.

And finally, allow me to throw in the verse that will be my personal prayer for Trump:  Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.

May God Bless America.