U-S-A! U-S-A!

Today this girl and her dad went to support the President of the United States of America.  Today was her first-ever USA rally.  Addie is only 16, so she hasn't even been allowed to vote in an election yet, but her patriotism for her country is already deeply set within her.

She has followed the 2020 presidential race and election process, closely, over the course of the past 12 months.  She became a faithful financial donor to President Trump's campaign, participated in one of his LIVE online campaign fundraisers, and has actively educated herself on policies, political parties, the history of the government.  She bought two hats (one Trump & one Socialism Sucks) with her own money, and she is now a full-fledged rally attendee. 

Her support for the President has cost her handfuls of friends and many more social media followers.  She hasn't turned away from one liberal/democrat friend-they have only walked away from her.  When they slap something unsubstantiated up on social media, she will respond with research and data. because we encourage her not to be petty, but to respond as polished and as intelligent, as possible.  They call her names, get frustrated, and angry.  Their politics trump their friendships. 

I am proud to be an American.  In this household, we are raising proud Americans.  The Willmer children are mature, fair, have strong convictions, and are passionate about their opinions.  Because they won't conform to the convictions of those around them, they lose friends.  They are ready for it.  They know they will continue to lose friends over their politics and even more so, over their faith.  They are encouraged by teachers and even by their church youth leaders to stay quiet when it comes to politics or hot topics because to speak up can cause division.  We encourage the opposite.  When it comes to their convictions, we move them in the direction of boldness.  Truth can be spoken, if it's not spoken, it remains a secret, and secrets don't bring challenge or change.  Our children are growing more rooted and more grounded with every friend that walks away.  Gwenyth lost her first friend in 2nd grade when she told the librarian's daughter (and fellow 2nd grader) not to call President Trump bad names.  Gwenyth said name-calling was mean.  The little girl never talked to her again.  Her first lesson in being mature came at the ripe old age of 7.

We believe in teaching our kids respect for the office of the President, vote for him or not, once the oath is taken, that President is our President.  The outcome of every election won't always leave us satisfied.  We don't shy away from discussing why or when we don't agree with the decisions of the President.  We also don't shy away from what it means to be an American and the blessings of freedom we have as Americans.

Today at the Trump rally so many people drove by and honked support.  Several millennials who continued to drive by over and over again yelled out profanities.  Addie was not impressed with their anger or their lack of clean vocabulary.  Hate will never be appealing.  The party of "inclusion, hope, and unity" does not often reflect those characteristics.  Beyond the disgruntled millennials today, Addie has learned that truth from personal experience.

The call is always to unite when a new President is chosen.  We will be respectful and accept the final outcome of whoever wins, but after being called racists, homophobes, anti-Semites, and xenophobes for the past 4 years, I don't think our family will jump at the chance to unite, nor do we want to unite with people who cannot defend the life of an unborn child.   We have too much principle for that, we aren't going to trade in allegiance to our Creator King for the chance to link arms with those who deny his creation.  By saying we won't link arms, doesn't mean we will walk away or wish harm or hurl names and insults at those we disagree with, but it does mean we will be polite, but unyielding in our faith and convictions.  

I have been a rebel my whole life.  I have almost always opted to take the path less chosen.  If you stand for nothing, you will fall for anything.  I am so proud I have passed the rebel torch to my Addie.  

Go Addie Go!  and Go USA!

 "Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. 11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. 12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. 13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. 14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, 15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. 16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. 17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. 19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should."

Ephesians 6"10-20