Last night we were watching the news closely to see the results of our friend who was up for election. His name is Roger Bridgwater and last year he was appointed by the governor to be a judge in the criminal court system. I'm sure a lot of my readers in Houston know who he is. He is a fair, righteous, godly man. Roger is like an uncle to my sister and me. His daughter Kay is one of my best friends in the world. Unfortunately, things did not go favorably for the judges in his party last night. Jerrell and I were texting back and forth between 11 p.m. and 12 a.m. last night until the results were sure. The last thing I saw before I shut my eyes: "He lost." Oh man. What a sad, sad outcome. Harris County is missing a huge blessing.
I tossed and turned literally all night long. I longed for some Rolaids but there were none. Maybe I got one hour of sleep? I didn't take a nap yesterday and don't remember having any caffeine, so it had to have been related to all the election drama. This morning my head felt like I had slept on a bale of hay and ragweed next to five shedding cats. My heart and body were just sick. And tired.
Then I went to turn off my porch light and saw that my Roger Bridgwater campaign sign had been removed from my front yard and placed on my front porch. It was not even 7 a.m.! I was furious at my anonymous neighbor for "helping me" put away my sign. Seriously? Like I wouldn't have done it myself? We had two houses on our street leave up their Hilary signs for at least a month after she was no longer a contender. And did anyone do anything about it? No. So I was beyond ticked. And hurt. Then instead of having my quiet time immediately I got online and shared my anger on Facebook. Then I called my mom and whined about the injustice. Then I woke up Curtis, who was still in bed when he had 25 minutes to be at the office, and complained to him too. Well, as it turns out, it was my very own husband who removed my sign when he came home from Bible study last night! So I ate humble pie for breakfast.
Finally, after some tea, toast, Scripture, and crying out to God in repentance and desperation, I felt like I could face this day, even if my heart is still sad. God knew what He was doing last night. He has a (glorious and effective) hope and future for Uncle Roger. What does He require of little ole me today and everyday? To act justly, love mercy, and walk humbly with my God. (Micah 6:8)
"This morning my head felt like I had slept on a bale of hay and ragweed next to five shedding cats." you crack me up!! When something smells bad I say it smells like a thousand wet dogs...LOL!
ReplyDeleteI love your precious heart!
ALSO, I NOW HAVE ESTHER!!!!!! Thank you!!!!!!!
Oh! If I had a dollar for every time I have had to eat humble pie (for breakfast, lunch OR dinner) I would be rich. Rich, I tell ya!!!
ReplyDeleteThis is really the first time I have been 'caught up' in any election. And last night when it was apparent that my candidate lost, I had a sick feeling. This morning (after a few hours sleep) I have a new outlook on the whole thing.....I have my perspective back.....I think I might have lost it for a while - this election was a tough one.
Anyway, I quoted the new Esther study in my blog post about the election today.....thought you might be inerested. I am on day three and I already love this study.
Looks like you are walking humbly just from your actions here.
ReplyDeleteAnd you know, I'm praying for you, for your health and for joy. I'm praying for your dear friend and uncle, who is undoubtedly disappointed today. I'm praying for God to raise him to do even more than he would have done in that position.
You are greatly loved and esteemed, Amanda. I think mostly because you give a good measure to others--may that good measure be returned upon you doubly.
I know exactly how you feel. I felt sick to my stomach yesterday after seeing all of this. They my 15 year old God reminded me that my hope is in God and no the government. So He is in control of "Uncle Roger", he will be ok, all we can do is the things you said to do towards the end.
ReplyDeleteThis was a tough election. Thank you for being so real and sharing how you let others in on your frustration about your "neighbor" removing your sign. Trust me, I have had to eat more than my share of humble pie for flying off the handle too soon.
ReplyDeleteSometimes humble pie is the best thing I can ever eat. ;)
ReplyDeleteI love your heart Amanda. I hope you get some rest today.
So much love,
Fran
My Mom was so upset about the election of judges last night...she texted me at like midnight yalls time to share her unhappiness.
ReplyDeleteWow. And you could have kept your mouth shut and no one (except for your husband) would have been the wiser. Way to go.
ReplyDeletesI read your blog often, though I do not blog myself. The verse you shared, Micah 6:8 was God speaking directly to me! I asked God for a word, and it pierced my heart. Thank you for being so transparent and "real". My husband and I have been married for three years, and we have a one year old daughter. When you share your heart it is so refreshing that I am not alone! Thank you for loving the Lord enough to be such an example!
ReplyDeleteBecky Smith
I love Micah 6:8. I've also had my share of humble pie.
ReplyDeleteGood morning girl!
ReplyDeleteLove your humble little self. Love the Micah scripture. Love facebook! :) Love your post from yesterday.
Just wanted you to know! Have a sweet and delight-filled day in Texas. I'll do the same in Tennessee!
Blessings, fried!
Dori
i am sorry that your family friend lost the race.
ReplyDeleteyour confession is refreshing.
be assured that we've all eaten many helpings of humble pie...but few of us would be willing to so eloquently confess it.
it doesn't taste good, so i'm not sure why i keep returning for seconds!?!
I haven't taken my McCain sign out yet. Guess I better go do that before someone removes it for me. Glad to know it was just your hubby. That would be really rude if someone really did that.
ReplyDeleteI'm kinda grumpy today, but I am thankful that God is sovereign.
I eat humble pie way too often than I'd like:) Good to know I'm not the only one- I would have done exactly what you did!
ReplyDeleteAmanda,
ReplyDeleteI just love your heart!
Hope you get some rest today.
Blessings!
It's awesome that you outed yourself. It's good to know we are all human beings who can react out of emotion sometimes. I've been doing that far too much lately. I've given myself until today to get a grip. I just need help remembering that tomorrow.
ReplyDeleteBless your heart, Pregnant Girl - them hormones really do a trick on us, don't they?
ReplyDeleteHey, I get served so much Humble Pie that I've begun to develop a taste for it . . . . almost.
The "neighbor" who removed your yard sign - I love it!
That is so something I would do!
ReplyDeleteSorry he lost. That is a bummer.
I felt much dread and disappointment after watching the polls last night and realizing that my candidate was not going to "pull it through". I had to turn off the tv and get my Bible. I read through Phil. 4:8 where we are commanded to THINK ON THESE THINGS. The truth is that God is my rock, He is still on His throne, and we are citizens of another nation. Praise the Lord that He is for us!! It is amazing how the Lord met me there in that ugly place last night. :) Thanks for sharing your heart. You are precious!
ReplyDeleteI know, I know! I was so sad to read that in this morning's paper....who on earth could be a better judge than RB? The whole night DIDN'T seem to go "my" way either....
ReplyDeleteI think I was more upset about Roger than anything else because I know he is a man of honor and integrity. I also know it is the result of straight ticket voting which just makes me mad. I have already vented out my frustrations over that process. I know God has greater things in store for Roger!
ReplyDeleteWe've all had to eat that humble pie some times ourselves. . . I am sorry your candidate lost. I think many were disappointed in local and national elections this week, but we must remember that GOD IS IN CONTROL! Hugs from NC!
ReplyDeleteThank goodness for gracious husbands!
ReplyDeleteI was getting mad, right along with you while reading this post, until the end. So much like something I would do and have done. God help me.
ReplyDeletepeace~elaine
I have so been there. I know the taste of that humble pie. Good intentions - quick mouth. Hugs from a sister sojourner.
ReplyDeleteHarris County lost so many good judges this week. Insult to injury.
ReplyDeleteIf it's any consolation, I bet Peter had to eat a LOT of humble pie. A LOT. So you're in good company.
ReplyDeleteBut really, I just loved the ending of this post, Amanda. I've been treading some deep waters in my heart and soul this week. God used that last line to speak to me.
Oh Little Momma,
ReplyDeleteI had a test of a test at work on Wed. after the election too. I sure do hope I passed. It was like one of those times when you keep your mouth shut, because if you open it, you might regret it. I was prayin' hard for a love for my co-workers. They were elated at the Presidential election results. "They soo do not know what they are doing, Lord!" was just rolling through my head all day. "Servant spirit, please Lord!" was the other phrase rolling through my head the whole 8 hrs. I was there...Little Momma, you crack me up with the whole part about the ragweed and the cats!:)...That verse in Micah was definitely for both of us:) The Lord is good, isn't He?:)
I have to tell you that this tickled me to pieces. Oh, I'm not at all laughing at you...
ReplyDeleteIt just sounds so much like ME.... How does humble pie taste to you, because I eat it quite a bit?
;)
Rena Gunther
How sweet of you to even admit that! I eat humble pie more than I would like to admit! And my facebook status would have been in all caps on that one;)
ReplyDeleteI had to tell my hubby this story at first he was like how rude of the neighbors...then when I told what really happend he laughed...that is so something that we would do!