I want to introduce you to the newest addition to my bobblehead collection, Ronald Reagan.
I saw him and had to have him. Isn’t he awesome?
Well, I think he is pretty cool!
He reminds me of an election day many years ago.
It was 1984, I was 11 years old and Reagan was running against Walter Mondale. My mom felt that it was important to teach me the value of using our wonderful right to vote so she took me with her to the polls and told me that I could make her selections for her.
Before I proceed with the rest of the story, I should tell you that my mother’s family had always been very vocal in their support for democrat candidates, so it was no secret which candidate they supported.
We walked into the booth and closed the curtain behind us.
My mom said, “Jay, it’s up to you.”
I knew I needed to move quickly so before she had the chance to stop me, I selected the Reagan/ Bush presidential ticket and pulled the lever that solidified the vote.
My mother’s hand went to her forehead and she said, “Jay, your grandaddy Kuykendall just rolled over in his grave”.
I laughed all the way home!
Why was my first vote for Ronald Wilson Reagan?
I didn’t vote for Reagan that day just to shock my momma. Ok, well that did play a part in my decision.
Mostly though, there were things that he said that resonated with me even as a child.
Here are some of the things that he said that made me like the man.
“The most terrifying words in the English language are ‘I’m from the government and I am here to help’”
Ha, even as a kid I could see the wisdom in that one!
“As government expands, liberty contracts”
Ok, I guess you have gathered that I was an odd child to have such a distrust of government and for statements like this to even make sense. I could see all the inefficiency of bureaucracy even as a kid. I wonder how so many can’t see it as adults?
“You can tell a lot about a fellow’s character by the way he eats jellybeans”
Ok, I am not so sure about the wisdom in that but who doesn’t love jellybeans?
The fact that he always had a jar of jellybeans on his desk may have played a part in my childhood admiration for the man.
“When you can't make them see the light, make them feel the heat”
That one was awesome! We the people should hold our politicians accountable.
“I've noticed that everybody that is for abortion has already been born”
That is quite the observation, isn’t it? I am pro-life and anti-murder! Infanticide is one of the great sins of our day!
My favorite quotes were about the value of God and his word.
“Within the covers of the Bible are the answers for all the problems men face.”
I believe that with all my heart and soul! God’s Word has the answer.
My all-time favorite Reagan quote was this one,
“If we ever forget that we are one nation under God then we will be a nation gone under”
I have heard a lot of jabber about the separation of church and state. People assume that means that we are to remove Christian values and the principles of God’s word from society, but it does not.
An immoral society will not have the blessings of God and will be destined for judgment. God should play a part in every aspect of a believer’s life, politics included. My citizenship in Heaven should make me a better citizen of my earthly home, not a worse one.
I will pray and vote according to the direction of God and his word. If you haven't already then I hope you will do the same!
My Bible readings for 11/2/20