At the polls
November 3, 2009
photo courtesy of photobucket.com
Today has been designated a blog carnival day by Peter Pollock, the topic of which is Remember. Which is fitting. I’m doing a lot of remembering today.
November 3 is voting day for the good people of the Commonwealth of Virginia. Our state Constitution says it’s time for a new governor and representatives to the state legislature, and there are always the handful of new laws to consider.
Voting to me has always been much more privilege than duty, and that’s a belief I want to pass on to my children. I want them to know the importance of what they will do every time they stand inside that curtained booth. They will become participants in a bloodless revolution, shouting their voice of continuation or change without uttering a word. The democratic process may well be the single greatest invention of man for this one thing—it allows ordinary people to alter the course of history.
I’m by myself this year, voting on my way home from work. But during the Presidential election last year, I took my son with me. That’s what I’m remembering today.
The crowd was large. That’s what I remember the most. Large but civil, as if they, too, understood the seriousness of their business. The only sounds were the murmurs of polite conversation and the shuffling of feet as voters were identified and assigned to their proper places.
My son hung in my arms, swiveling his head at the slightest sound. I’d gone over the gist of the voting process on the way to the voting station as well as could be explained to a four-year-old, which by necessity involved metaphors of both Star Wars and, strangely, Phineas and Ferb. But he still had questions. A lot of them. Questions that were reserved for the moment the curtain closed around us in the booth.
“So we get to say who’s the boss?” he asked.
“Yep,” I answered.
“Which one are you voting for, Daddy?”
I pointed and said, “That one.”
“Is he good?”
I didn’t know how to answer that. The pessimist in me wanted to say that I doubted it, that I doubted it very much, but that when people vote it’s usually more like they’re picking the least bad person rather than the best.
But instead I just said “I think he is,” and hoped it sufficed. It did, but then he asked me a tougher question.
“Does he love God?”
“He says he does,” I told him.
“Lots of people say they love God, but they don’t act like it much. Does he act like it much?”
“I don’t know him, buddy,” I said. “I just know what he says. Sometimes what people say and what they do are different.”
He didn’t like that and neither did I, but such was life and there you go.
“Grandma says her mommy and daddy never voted because they were squirmish,” he said.
“I think that’s ‘Amish,’” I corrected. “And you’re right, they didn’t.”
“Why not?”
“Because to them God was the boss and no one else could be.”
“God’s the boss of me,” he said, then added, “even more than you.”
“Even more than me,” I said. I flipped the switch next to the name and said, “Okay, pull the lever and we’ll be done.”
His hand hovered over the bright red handle, then paused. “Maybe we should be like the squirmish people,” he said.
“Maybe,” I said. “But I think God wants us to speak for Him, too. And that’s what we’re doing.”
“By voting, right?”
“Right.”
“Can I pull the lever now, Daddy?”
“Sure.”
He did, and the curtain opened.
Hand in hand walking back to the truck, we passed twenty or so people on their way in. Fellow soldiers in the revolution of continuation or change. A news truck was in the parking lot. A reporter glanced over notes while shielding her eyes from the sun. It was a bright sun that day, bright and bold and hung high in the sky. I remember wondering if it was still rising or beginning to set, and I remember thinking the same about our nation.
“I hope he wins, Daddy,” my son said.
“Me, too. But if he doesn’t, it’ll still be okay.”
“Because God’s still the boss?”
“Because God’s still the boss.”
Comments
35 Responses to “At the polls”
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I’m a writer whose first novel, Snow Day, will be published by FaithWords in 2010.
But don’t let that fool you. I’m just as confused as anyone.
And that is fine with me, because the great thing about wandering around in the fog is that you never know what you might run into.
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Amen to this wonderful post.
It’s ridiculous how teary eyed I am over this post. Well done, Billy. Again.
Boy do I enjoy your writing, Billy! You are today’s Arsenio Hall for me, dishing up things that (really) make you go “hmmmmm”.
Yeah, I had many of those same thoughts before, on and after that day. I still do. Your son is a bright little guy. It doesn’t matter who wins the political races for those of us who believe wholeheartedly that “God is stil the boss.” We will still be okay. Great post, Billy.
AMEN! That says everything – no matter what God is still the boss!
I love that and it gets me through every single day and situation. No matter what He is there – unchangeable, loving us and faithful!
All glory to God!
Love and blessing to your precious son!
You are such a great Dad Billy!
Jill
The whole thing was so great, but I especially love those last sentences.
That’s one smart kiddo.
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This post was mentioned on Twitter by gyoung9751: Good one. RT @katdish: RT @billycoffey At the polls : Billy Coffey http://bit.ly/1Vyv5k…
I just remembered that I forgot to write a post about remembering today…(sigh)
Thanks for the reminder.
I love how our kids can teach us if we listen. I also love how we do get to participate in our government so people better vote today whether or not you agree with who I’m voting for.
It’s election day in NJ today too and I admit it does feel a bit like trying to figure out which is the least bad choice….so glad God is the boss of the universe.
This post should be published everywhere, Billy. Thank you.
I live in Virginia, too, in Arlington. And when I go out soon to vote, I’m going to say a prayer before hitting the computer’s Vote button.
Some observations:
1. I love how you can always draw amazing life lessons with your children out of the ordinariness of life.
2. I always take my daughters with me when I vote so they can see what a huge responsibility it is
3. I must live in Redneck-ville because I’ve NEVER voted in any election where I didn’t use a SCANTRON and a pencil. I wouldn’t even know how to use this “switch and lever” you mention
Wonderful post and a great reminder about our privilege of getting to vote today!
Good post!
I like the ’squirmish people’ … will now think of that whenever I see a buggy here in PA Amish country.
Billy, all those years your talent was in hiding, it was flowering. You have a beautifully way of telling what appears to be a “simple” story but is so much more. God is definitely your boss, and working deep within you to affect others — not excluding your sweet son. Keep your eyes on Him and you will do well!
this was precious…..I love the “squirmish people”.
I love that you shared and reminded us that God holds the highest Seat of all.
They will become participants in a bloodless revolution, shouting their voice of continuation or change without uttering a word. – good stuff
The Star Wars reference and squirmish people made me laugh.
Your son’s keen perceptions brought a smiling tear or two.
Great post! Write on!
Was your son happy when your guy won?
Great stuff, Billy.
So glad God is the boss! Thanks Billy.
Oh so true…out of the mouths of babes tumble such heartfelt, honest words.
God is The Boss. At the same time He calls us to do what is right. To stand up for Him, for Truth, and for Life. Please take time today to do just that.
http://aspiretoleadaquietlife.blogspot.com/2009/11/makin-some-calls.html
Blessings.
Because God is still the boss…
I gotta write that down…
Oh Peter… how can I follow that comment? LOL
I love this… “God’s still the boss.”
I think in our worries about this crazy world we live in, we forget those simple, yet important words.
Thank you, Billy.
What an awesome post. It brought tears to my ears. A wonderful reminder that no matter who holds any office, our Lord and Savior is still the boss.
YES. Awesome reminder from your four-year-old. AND from you. Thanks, Billy.
Billy,
So true that we have to remember that God still is the boss in everything that happens and nothing passes through His hands without His knowledge.
Love and Hugs ~ Kat
I am just amazed at the conversations you have with your children. Very refreshing!
You wrote my mind there on that one. My voter place was rather sparse much a drastic difference from the presidential election. Nice also to know a fellow Virginian out there in the blogosphere.
What a great life lesson (for dad, of course). I kinda like the idea those squirmish people have
He is the Boss. Amen and Amen.
You are a confident father, Billy. That’s refreshing, when there’s full of different pointers on the path to parenting.
I love how you weave faith into your parenting … even into the polls. So many stories. I wonder if one of your kids will be a writer, too?
What an awesome example you are to your son.
There is a little something on my blog for you.
http://jayota1209.blogspot.com
Kids just get it sometimes, don’t they?
I like how you avoided cynicism. It can be easy to fall into that trap. Like Jesus said, “oh you of little faith”….people have got to remember that whatever happens, whomever is president…they only hold as much power as God allows. And God works all things for Good to those who love him.
(Besides, 2012 isn’t THAT far off!)
I am new to your blog and a fellow Virginian.
First, let me say how much I love your writing. You are so gifted and God has used your words over the past couple weeks to minister to me.
Second, I love this post! I had a similar conversation with my children this morning, and as I carried my youngest into the Ruritan hall full of voters, I took a moment to breathe a prayer for whoever the Lord brings into office in this fine Commonwealth.
I’m so thankful He is the boss!
There is nothing much to say,
GOD IS THE BOSS !
I love this, Billy! I just love having these conversations with our kids. What a great insight your son had. Man.. I am SO glad God is still the boss.
Great post, Billy. I’m always inspired by your posts about your parenting. I have a four-year-old too and I only pray that he becomes as insightful to the spiritual as your son sounds to be. You’re a great father. Keep ‘remembering’ who’s boss.