The world, or at least the conservative world, seems to have fallen in love with Sarah Palin. I too admit to being intrigued and taken with this woman who seemingly came out of nowhere and is suddenly being referred to as "the next Ronald Reagan". It has been amusing to me though, to watch people who have always promoted a woman's primary place as being in the home suddenly become vicious protectors of her ability to balance family and career. Even though I am a "working" Mom I have struggled to figure out my emotions on this whole thing. I don't question her ability to govern, I just wonder if she is being honest with herself. Mothers have such strong bonds with their children, such a natural protective instinct. I know what it's like to be at work and have a sick child back at home, it takes everything in you to not give in to the urge to run home and take that child in your own arms. Surely she has already had those moments, and I'd love to know how she deals with them. It's not like you can walk out on the Joint Chiefs of Staff to care for a sick child.
The other side of me is rejoicing with the rest of you that we finally have a conservative woman who is willing to stand up for what she believes in. The "I am woman" in me is elated that someone is breaking through the "glass ceiling". The fact that she always wears glasses scores lots of points with me. This woman is actually willing to push Creationism in our public schools. How long since you heard someone willing to do that without fear of losing their political standing? Don't worry on election day I'll remember that I'm not voting for Mother of the Year, but for the best person to lead our country. The McCain/Palin ticket will have my vote despite my concerns, it will have my prayers because of them.
In my concern about this ticket I went to the Bible for some guidance. Guess what, Israel had a female Commander in Chief for a period of time. Anybody remember Deborah? While it wasn't God's ultimate plan for a woman to be the political or military leader, there came time when Israel was so far from God that there were no decent men to be put in authority. So along came Deborah, a wife and mother. The thing that I find ironic is that the man she ended up leading was Barak. Sound familiar even though the spelling is different? You can go to Judges chapter 4 to read it for yourself. Israel called upon God for help against their enemy Sisera and God gave them Deborah. She called for Barak, (the general) and gave him God's battle plan and assured victory, but he said "I won't go if you don't go with me". She went with him and they won, but for his inability to obey God's command on his own all the glory was taken away from him and given to another woman, Jael. She's the one who kills Sisera by pounding a tent peg through his head. Now I'm not being prophetic here, my imagination just gets the best of me with this story. I'm just saying that it is reassuring to know that in the past God raised up a woman, to be a wife and mother, but also to help lead a nation in a time of crisis.
http://www.netbroadcasting.tv/sarah_palin.html
15 comments:
Kayla, what an insightful and interesting post. I wholeheartedly agree; what you wrote seemed so thoughtful and balanced. Still thinking of you and praying for you as the storm season surrounds you!
While I am not willing at this point to do much politics on my own blog, I don't mind responding to yours!:) Very well said and balanced (and man are you brave!!)
Loved the Scripture reference..and yes it is good to remember that women are designed for and capable of many different types of roles. We are the ones who often are happiest when we can easily define those roles. And on a very non-relevent point: in college, SJV and other frinds and I had a little bear that we named Barak from that story. We had found him deserted and dirty on our walk to IUP. Isn't that funny! Not sure what ever happened to the little fellow!
I feel mostly ambivalent (sp?) to Palin at this point. What is clear to me is that she was chosen for pretty calculated reasons (not necessarily qualifications.) But that is of course not surprising as this is just part of the political game. She seems bright and can certainly give a great sounding speech. (I can't help but think is just how much "conservatives" would be attacking her with these family circumstances if she were on the other ticket.....just a bit hypocritical it seems.)
I had forgotten that story. Thanks for the reminder. I think Sarah Palin will be good for America. A lady with some morals and we sure haven't seen that in a while. Great blog.
I'm really not so brave. When I wrote this I wasn't really sure if I would ever post it, just needed to line up my thoughts for myself. My husband read it and posted it while I was out hitting garage sales.
Good for Harold! I'm glad he did post it! Kayla, you said it so well. My thoughts exactly, but I wouldn't have been able to say it quite as well! As long as she takes her stand and stands up for God, I think he can and will take care of her family and help her in that area. Thanks for your thoughts!
Sounds a little bit like me... I wrote a really long post on the topic when I started hearing everything the media was saying about her. I still have not posted it. I just put a really short post after getting my temper fired up from listening to some liberals slam her yet again. Maybe ya'll will see my long post eventually....or maybe Matt will post it!! :)
Kayla you put this beautifully! Very balanced and well said. I still have misgivings on the whole Mother part, especially of two small children and one with special needs who I think will need her more than ever, but still love her in so many ways. As you can see in one of my posts, we have some things in common and those are just a few. I still hope and pray she is a huge help to our country and that God is leading the way and she is relying on Him with all her decisions. I loved the scripture you used and thought the whole thing was interesting and well said.
Well said, friend.
Kimberly - had forgotten about Barak. Wonder where he is now?
I agree with you and thought of these Bible heroes after a very conservative friend of mine declared his opposition to McCain/Palin over the "stay-at-home mom" issue.
I think that the most important thing for us as Bible-believing Christians is that even if we get "one of our own" in office that we not forget that our primary citizenship is in another kingdom.
William's comment reminded of the song that is playing. We need to be involved in what's going on in the world around us, but so important to remember that we "don't belong".
Clarification:
You have to click on the song on the top right hand side of my blog if you want to hear it.
I, AS A MOMMY OF 4 CHILDREN (ONE OF WHOM IS A BABY WHOM I'M HOLDING...SO I'M TYPING WITH ONE HAND =) SHARE YOUR CONCERNS AS WELL. (THOUGH IT IS NICE TO SEE SOMEONE THAT BELIEVES SO MUCH LIKE US ON THE BALLET.) WHAT YOU HAD TO SAY WAS WELL WRITTEN. MAY GOD HAVE HIS WAY IN THE ELECTIONS OF OUR COUNTRY. PRAYER WORKS!!
THANKS FOR YOUR NICE COMMENT ON MY BLOG. I'VE MISSED STAYING IN TOUCH THROUGH OUR BLOGS. =) NOW THAT I'M BACK IN COLOMBIA, I'LL TRY TO DO BETTER.
HAVE A GREAT DAY.
FORGOT TO SAY THAT I LOVE YOUR NEW PICS OF YOUR BOYS. =D
Thanks so much, Kayla, for a great post. I, too, hadn't thought of the Biblical example of Deborah. We truly live in a needy world, and it makes me think of the quote from Edmund Burke: "The only thing needed for evil to prosper is for good men to do nothing."
Wow Kayla, you expressed EXACTLY how I have been feeling lately but like others, I haven't had the courage to post.
I, like William, have some blogger friends that say we shouldn't vote for her b/c of the SAHM issue and because having a woman in office was God's judgment on a nation. Of course these are concerns.
But I can't get past the fact that it's either the SAHM issue or infanticide, socialism,more moral decline etc, etc??? And that maybe we should vote on those particular principles.
Plus my hubby wants to KEEP his gun/hunting freedom LOL (sorry ... just had to throw that one in).
I know God is sovereign and His will.. will prevail.
Post a Comment