I honored the remembrance of 9/11/2001 by exercising my right as a citizen to accept my call for jury duty. I put my x in all of the right boxes.
In this election season, I am especially aware of the privilege it is to be an American citizen in our imperfect nation. To be willing to serve on a jury, even when it is inconvenient. To vote even when choices may not be clear.
I’ve been praying earnestly, daily, for all candidates (all means all of the candidates) and for all of us who have the privilege of voting:
+Praying for us to listen carefully to those with whom we disagree.
+Praying for us to be respectful of all candidates, especially when it is difficult to do so.
+Praying for the speaking and the hearing of truth, and the discernment of truth from untruth.
+Praying for those who serve in order to make our elections possible.
+Praying for those who use violence as a means to communicate and to protect others from the harm they cause.
+Praying that in all things we will seek to rise to the other’s best and to serve the common good, especially when it might not be the best thing for us as an individual.
On 9/11, I gathered in downtown Houston with a cross section of citizen siblings. What a wonderful group of Americans were gathered in Jury Assembly Room One. We raised our right hands and swore that we were United States citizens, lived in Harris county, and not convicted felons. We were also repeatedly thanked for honoring our civic duty.
I wasn’t chosen to serve on a jury that day, but I was still paid $30 for showing up and my parking was validated, too. I could have gotten a free cup of coffee also if I’d chosen to do so.
On 9/11, I decided the best way, as a citizen, was to donate my jury money to two candidates I am supporting.
In choosing who I will vote for (and all is not yet decided), I’ve done my best to read carefully all I can about the candidates, trying to stay away from more partisan sources that can be more fun, frankly, to read, and searching for more thoughtful facts and opinions. It takes time.
I’ve also spent time trying to clarify what I value most, and to use that as one of my filters for discernment.
If you’ve read this far and disagree with the candidate choices I’ve made, I would love to sit and have a cup of coffee or tea with you. To listen to what you think and hear how you’ve come to your decision. Not to change your mind, but so that we can be a more perfect Union. If you ask, and only if you ask, I will tell you how I’ve discerned my vote.
It’s how we might hear the Way, the Truth, and the Life.
House of Grace 