Ever since I was a child, I’ve thoroughly enjoyed playing board games. I would always get so excited when I had a friend or several friends to play with me. My favorite was Monopoly. I can hear some of you groaning. Of course, like anyone would, I loved to win! Who didn’t, right? I particularly enjoyed Monopoly, because I welcomed the challenge of using my mind…being strategic. I had to decide how and when to use my money. I still adore the game of Monopoly.
I introduced board games to my grandson as soon as he became old enough. I still have a great passion for them and wanted to pass on the enjoyment I get from them to my grandson. He is seven years old now, but I remember a time I was just playing with him with his Hot Wheels several years ago. He was about three to five years old.
I stopped by his house one day and was talking to his mom. He kept beseeching me to race some of his Hot Wheels against him. Of course, he picked out the car I could have. They had a fold-up table in the kitchen and he had a makeshift course already mapped out on it for the cars. We competed several times and he won each time (admittedly, I was letting him win). He was having a blast!
During one such race he was running so fast alongside the table, he tripped and his car fell off. Instead of slowing down and waiting for him to recover and reenter the race, I sped up and ran ahead to the finish line. I’ll never forget his reaction! He was so angry at me. I was supposed to let him win! He yelled at me in a very mean way and threw a nice little fit. His mother and I corrected him immediately.
This happened to be the first time I had ever seen him react to losing. From that moment on, I rarely “let him” win. He should learn to lose graciously. After all, he is never going to win all the time. Since he is older now, the “rarely” has turned into “never”. If he wins, he wins fairly. In fact, his mother is never allowed to play games with him anymore, because she plays to win. I’ve made him include her on many occasions. That is not right either.
I was shocked by him not too long ago when we were playing a game and he didn’t react badly when I won. In fact, he asked to play again. Maybe he’d win the next time. He was still disappointed at the fact he didn’t win. However, there was no yelling or tantrums. He’s growing up. He’s maturing.
Acting badly, even hatefully, is what many Americans are doing today over the new President- elect Donald J. Trump. I’m appalled at the attitude I’ve seen displayed on Facebook alone from Hillary supporters against those who voted for him. The meanness has reached a new level. People are unfriending people. I’ve seen posts where family members aren’t talking to one another, because they voted for the opposite candidate. This kind of behavior is not American or Christian! It is childish. It is not godly behavior. In 1 Corinthians 13:11 it says the following:
When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things.
Even if you aren’t a Christian, you shouldn’t be acting like a child. I’ve already seen riots with cars on fire in the streets on the news. Where are the adults? In Romans 13:1-2 it says,
Let everyone be subject to the governing authorities, for there is no authority except that which God has established. The authorities that exist have been established by God. Consequently, whoever rebels against the authority is rebelling against what God has instituted, and those who do so will bring judgment on themselves.
God is in control. One Facebook friend said that the result of the election had nothing to do with God. The United States voted. Yes, we did vote. Do you think God doesn’t have supreme authority to do what he wants? He does. Remember, God is your source for whatever you need in this life no matter who is the president. Christians are forgetting that fact. Psalm 56:11 says,
In God have I put my trust, I will not be afraid. What can man do unto me?
Psalms 91:2
I will say of Jehovah, He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in whom I trust.
These are just a couple of verses regarding trust in God for a Christian. There are so many more! God is above ALL things. God’s will for America will be done regardless of who we call Mr. President. Continue reading 1 Corinthians 13:3-7:
For rulers hold no terror for those who do right, but for those who do wrong. Do you want to be free from fear of the one in authority? Then do what is right and you will be commended. For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer. Therefore, it is necessary to submit to the authorities, not only because of possible punishment but also as a matter of conscience. This is also why you pay taxes, for the authorities are God’s servants, who give their full time to governing. Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.
Nowhere in this chapter does it say to only do right or show respect if you like the person in authority. Nowhere does it say to do these things only if you agree with everything the person in authority says or does. Yes, some respect is earned. Some respect is simply expected to be given, because of the title or position the person in authority holds. It says in the above passage to do all these things not just in fear of punishment, but because of your conscience…because it is the right thing to do. God doesn’t give exceptions!
I’m primarily talking about the president-elect today, but this applies to EVERY authority figure in your life from your parents, your boss, your pastor and to GOD. It is easier to do these things when you like and agree with the leader. It is easy for ANYONE to do that. It is a true act of your GODLY, CHRISTIAN MATURITY to do these things when you don’t agree with what is said or done or when you don’t like the personality of your leader. If you’re afraid of any outcomes, perhaps what you want or what you are doing isn’t what GOD wants.
One of Hillary Clinton’s campaign commercials stated a fact that the children are watching. YOUR CHILDREN ARE WATCHING! THE WORLD IS WATCHING! WHAT ARE YOU SHOWING THEM? It’s a terrible thing when there’s no way to tell the difference between the children and the adults or Christians and the heathen!
Inside Tammee's Closet 
Good writing.
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You have given us much food for thought.
I have to agree with your statement about respecting those placed above us. We may not like their decisions, values but we must respect their position.
As Christians we are being watched by friends, family and acquaintances. Our actions are not taken lightly.
Our children and other young family members look to us. There is little point directing them to do the right thing whilst we do the wrong thing.
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