November 3, 2024 Published Same Date
We need to be careful when we thank God, especially for a day to come and go. We have a tendency to do a countdown. I don’t know if I would do a countdown if I knew when I was going to leave my wife, children, in-laws, family, friends behind. Sure. I am going to heaven, but to leave loved ones behind? No. I don’t want a countdown! However, with that being said, I probably would make better / more thoughtful decisions about life.
THANK GOD THERE IS ONLY NOVEMBER 5, 2024!
If my candidate wins or loses, all I know is there is only ONE November 5, 2024! I need to treat that day as special as any other day. I am grateful that that day is ELECTION DAY and that day will come to an end. Ever since January 20, 2021, TENS OF MILLIONS OF AMERICAN CITIZENS have waited for the opportunity to vote for things to continue in the direction of President Biden or his challenger President Trump. In July 2024, things certainly changed with President Biden dropped out of the race and Vice President Harris was PLACED as his “successor.” Yes. She was placed.
REFLECTION ON WHAT I HAVE LOST / WHAT HAS CHANGED
Since January 20, 2021, I have lost the following and much of it … MUCH OF IT (for the slower readers) … is my doing:
- Friends – Yes. By me not voting for President Biden and NOT taking the vaccine, I have lost dozens of friends. They might say that is not the case, but ask them, “When was it the last time you phoned Paul or had a beer with him?”
- Job – Yes. April 8, 2021 – “Paul, you need to leave Jesus Christ in the parking lot,” says Principal. “Paul, you cannot say ‘I love ya’ to your students.” “Paul, I don’t care about your First Amendment Rights. You need to get off the computer / social media. Your comments hurt students / are embarrassing to you, the principal, the school, and the district.” So, yes, it was my choice to resign and to retire (three years early – I might add), but the job was lost. Being a strong Christian and knowing my heart, I could NOT work with those directives.
- Family – Yes. Without going into detail, family members were all of the sudden not happy with my Christianity or conservatism (even though, I strongly oppose the USA becoming a theocracy; our answer to Iran being a Muslim nation).
- Money – Sure. With me opening up my love for Jesus Christ (I have loved him since 1984; He is my SAVIOR!), those leadership seminars seem to have slowed down. Giving clinics to music ensembles sure slowed down. The financial investment(s) I made to improve as a speaker / trainer / coach have failed. Again, FAILING FORWARD!! No worries. God’s got this.
- Charter School – Prior to August 2022, I had taught at public schools (30 years) and a private school (3 years). A man and his wife asked if I wanted to start a band program at their charter school near where my wife and I live. What a blessing it is to be at a charter school that allows me to be – ME!
- 4th – 6th grade scholars (students) – I always wanted to be a high school band director / music teacher. Never thought I would teach beginning band, but GOD had a plan. I love teaching 4th – 6th graders. There are no politics, no activism, no concern about gender. No concern about “Mr. Everts, does the composer look like me?” Breathtaking. It’s all about music, how to put together an instrument and play it.
- Find new church – play drums / start and direct a choir – AWESOME!
I am at peace with the losses and the gains. I am. Sure. There are times when I grieve for the time prior to January 20, 2021, but when I do, I sigh and pray for healing and gratefulness for all the good God has given me.
SUGGESTION
Here is my suggestion post November 5, 2024: TAKE A BREATH AND PRAY!! Learn from my mistakes. Do all you can to realize that your candidate winning or losing is another person’s candidate winning or losing. In the end, that candidate doesn’t know you. Sincerely – DOESN’T CARE A WHOLE LOT ABOUT YOU! You know who cares for you? YEP! Jesus Christ! He is the one constant I have (along with my wife, our son, our daughter, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, soon-to-be son-in-law and yes, many family members / friends / current and former students). Keep those close to you – close. Some day I do hope to re-connect with those who walked away from me or I walked away … and, I will not hold my breath.
Best wishes / prayers for all of us to survive November 5, 2024 and beyond. We can do it. With my love for and relationship with Jesus Christ, I know I can do it.