Good morning. It has been a long while, I know. Being a doctoral candidate, supporting my brother's election, keeping up with kids and a husband, and tending to a new puppy has kept me pretty busy. I have now relaxed from one of those things but must speak about it.
My brother was a candidate for Harris County Constable Precinct 3. He ran an impeccable race. My father and I, being the two retired, witnessed much of the process. We were at polls for all of early voting. We, as a family, were at my brother's side when he made this decision a year ago. We made the decision to run a clean, fair race with character as the foundation.
There were nine candidates in the race and this was my brother's first go at it. Many of the others had run before. Each time I saw my brother I saw a qualified, loyal, ardent individual. He didn't need a job, he is an investigator for Harris County District Attorney's Office. He wanted to make a difference. While other candidates had the time to be at the polls, my brother did not. He continued to serve the citizens.
This week, my Pastor, Dr. Ed Young, gave an amazing sermon with an introduction of integrity, service and character to those we choose as leaders. It left an abiding impact in my heart as I knew my brothers election race was Tuesday.
On several days at early voting, my father and I witnessed actions contrary to the laws of integrity but aligned with the laws of human nature. We heard name calling, accusations, challenges, showboating, allegations of wrong doing, shouting, cursing and so much more. We witnessed printed derogatory material, a particular candidate yelling at an employee of the library where they were graciously allowing them to vote, pushing the envelope just a little until it became an all out war, and so much more.
We were so confident in our candidate. What else could the community want? A dedicated servant who served in law enforcement over 26 years and now serves the community in the DA's office. A beaming record with numerous awards for service. I was often asked "Do you really think your brother will win?" My response was often "We serve a God that parted the red sea, that opened the heavens with rain, that rescued Daniel from the Lion's den-is anything impossible for him?"
My daily devotions were aligned with endless possibilities of Gideon, Joshua, Caleb and giants. Nothing is impossible for our God but I must say that our prayer was "but if not" [Daniel 3:19], let us still continue to glorify our God. And so we have. He did not win the race but he kept his character and integrity. There is a second part to this election story. Throughout the race, I was met by individuals that thought "being good" would get them to heaven. I was put in a position to tell them that only believing in the Lord Jesus Christ would get them eternal life. Many of these workers from other teams were individuals that were paid and had never met the candidate, we knew ours and we knew his heart. We knew the God we believe in and he put us there to impact lives not to win a race.
My father, our patriarch, led the way. His love for his son led him to stand countless hours [as did I] holding signs that said vote for our candidate. My father was up early and stayed late. The reward in that was the endless people that complimented us on our brothers character and our example. Oh don't get me wrong, we were not faultless. The poor show of respect prompted us to want to cross that line and we had a heart to heart that ended something like this...."Are we going to trust God like we have been saying or will we let them win out?" The defeat was difficult only because we saw the ill actions of others, but we are content in God's final say. We lost the race but one lost soul won over is a greater victory!
I will give thanks to you O my God with all my heart, I will glorify your name forever. Psalms 86:12
I glorified you on earth, having accomplished the work which you have given me to do. John 17:4
I have run the race, I have fought the fight, I have kept the faith. 2 Timothy 4:7
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