Guess Who?

"It is God who changes the times and the seasons;

He removes kings and raises up [establishes, appoints] other kings.

He gives wisdom to the wise

and knowledge to the discerning."

~Daniel 2:21

Happy Election Tuesday, friends and fam!  Based on the polls and the past several election cycles, I'm not at all sure that Americans will know who our next president will be by the end of the night.  Either way, I'm praying we use God-given wisdom and find centered peace in trusting His power, will, and timing for the major and minor events that shape our lives!

Personally, I'm finding real comfort, strength, and inspiration in the verse above and the entire book of Daniel!  His story highlights the value of personal integrity in the midst of national crisis, chaos, and loss.  Daniel and his friends made hard choices in the face of captivity and grief.  They chose to hold onto their faith and integrity rather than caving to peer pressure and blending into the powerful  new culture surrounding them.  There is global drama and change through the course of the book... where God literally deposes kings and appoints others, and through it all, Daniel stays close to Him and is promoted for his valuable, unmatched wisdom.  He sets himself apart through loyalty to God, and God is faithful to Daniel and his friends even as the nations around them repeatedly shift and crumble.  There are some clear parallels between ancient Babylon and modern-day America, and Daniel is an exceptional role model for God's people.  We can pray for God's blessing and peace on our nation, acknowledge the dangers of pride in our leaders, be unapologetically set apart from the surrounding culture through steadfast obedience to God, and live with faith and hope that are deeply rooted in God's greatness (and not in any way dependent on America's greatness).  I haven't done this perfectly by any means, but it's something to strive for!!

Okay, thanks for listening to my election day pep talk. lol  On the lighter side, my adorable niece made a homemade version of the Guess Who? game for us to play at family dinner last night... like, she cut the paper and drew these cards 3x, making up a name and state for each person.  She and I played several rounds and it was super fun... I adore her imagination and creativity!!

I'm tracking my fitness goals and sleep with my new Apple Watch, and even though I understand that 8 hours would technically be better, seeing 7-7-7 this morning made me very happy!! =)

I think that's all for today.  Let your words and thoughts be pleasing to God.  Stop any anxious thought spirals, and don't let election day steal your peace!

In case no one else tells you today, I'll remind you that I love you and believe in you, and that your heart matters.  I know we're all created differently, but in times of national confusion, it always helps me to zoom in (focusing on personal obedience and faith) and/or zoom way out (acknowledging God's overarching plan /Kingdom focus).  "It is God who changes the times and seasons."

May God bless America...

And may His will be done here on earth as it is in Heaven! ❤