I have no idea how many times I have shared with y’all my political mentor’s words to me, after I “retired” from politics after President George W. Bush’s reelection campaign in 2004; but I am going to share them again. “You can take the girl out of politics, but you will never take the politics out of the girl.”
She was right.
I dabbled in a couple of campaigns after 2004, offering input anytime I was asked, and helped draw up campaign outlines and fundraising plans. But I never worked in an official capacity, again, in politics.
But you still cannot take the politics out of this girl.
I watched Representative John Lewis’ funeral yesterday, and as soon as President George W. Bush began speaking, the flood of tears began to fall.
I miss him.
When he said the following, I was fist pumping in our living room, “Listen, John and I had our disagreements, of course. But in the America John Lewis fought for – and the America I believe in – differences of opinion are inevitable elements and evidence of democracy in action.”
President Bush also quoted Isaiah, “Here am I, send me.” Then, President Obama spoke, and opened with one of my favorite passages for difficult trials in life, “Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your faith produces perseverance. Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” - James 1:2-4 (NIV)
I want a better life for Americans. I want the nastiness to stop. I want the vitriol to end. I want the left to get along with the right and the right to get along with the left. I want to see equality. I want to see truth. I want to see justice.
It starts with you and me. All of it: equality, truth and justice are in your hands and mine. We must demand it.
I have not considered all of this in 2020, pure joy. But I am working on it. Because I know God is testing our faith, and the testing produces perseverance. We have to let perseverance finish its work so that we may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Speaking only for myself, I have a lot of work to do.