Down, but Not Out!

I'm feeling down today...ya' know, those election results from yesterday. 

I keep wondering if I could have done more to change the outcome...

* prayed more than I did?
* fasted like others?
* put up more than one sign in our yard?
* driven around town more so our bumper sticker would have been more visible?
* listened to all those recorded robo-calls we received?
* kept all those mailers & thoroughly studied them?
* written letters to our local papers?
* been more openly political on Facebook & here on my blog?
* debated w/ those who don't share my beliefs?
* volunteered at a local campaign site?
* physically gone to vote instead of absentee ballot?

But, would any of these things have changed the fact that we do not have a new president today, as many of us hoped? Most likely not! I am one person who can not control the thoughts & actions of others. 

I am confident that I did all I could w/ the time & resources I have. 

So, what happens now? I will put my faith & trust in God. He alone has a true plan to get us out of the messes we're in right now. He never promised us that our life here on earth would be easy, but He has promised us eternal & everlasting happiness with Him in Heaven.

I will gather my strength in the words of St. Paul in today's first reading (Philippians 2:12-18), esp. the following:

Do everything without grumbling or questioning,
that you may be blameless and innocent,
children of God without blemish
in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation,
among whom you shine like lights in the world,
as you hold on to the word of life,
so that my boast for the day of Christ may be
that I did not run in vain or labor in vain.

And Psalm 27, also from today's Mass:

The LORD is my light and my salvation;
whom should I fear?
The LORD is my life's refuge;
of whom should I be afraid?

There is hope & peace to be found in Christ our Lord. We may be down, but we're not out!

Lord, have mercy,
Christ, have mercy,
 Lord, have mercy!