I hope all of you readers have had a joyous Christmas. In celebrating the birth of our Savior, I trust that you found hope and peace in your family gatherings.
A few weeks ago, I wrote about families that have suffered separation over this past election. It makes no sense to me to abandon family members over choices made with which you disagree. But I do understand that it is a real dilemma, and many families are suffering due to the conflict. I’ve heard television personalities encourage this behavior and challenge others to stay away from family gatherings and disinvite their dissenting members. This is strange to me. Family is too important.
Disagreements can be very destructive. We shouldn’t let them be.
Now don’t get me wrong, I have experienced this firsthand, but it didn’t come from me. I respect others’ opinions, even if they are different than mine. You have every right to be wrong. I would never abandon a family member or friend over differences in political beliefs.
My advice to you is never back down when it comes to what you believe. As a Christian, my politics define my belief system. We have an obligation to follow Christ’s teachings and to be a witness for Him. Even if it means getting a few arrows thrown our way.
My beliefs are simple. I believe the Bible is the word of God — all of it. We can’t pick and choose which parts we will follow. Life begins at conception, and it is a true gift from God. All life is precious. There are two genders, and God made us as we are. We don’t get to choose which one we want. He doesn’t make mistakes either. We are as He designed us to be. There is only one God. He is omnipotent and sovereign. He came to Earth as a baby born in a stable and lived and died for our eternal life. Marriage is defined as one man and one woman, just as God has planned. Children deserve two parents who love them and care for them. We have an obligation to raise them as God has taught us. The Ten Commandments are not suggestions. They are commandments from God and should be treated as such. Our rights are granted by God and not government. Government has no authority to take them away.
I will stand by and defend any of these positions. I hope I can always do it kindly and lovingly and without stooping to the Devil’s goal, anger.
I have been called many names. Guess what? The riddle of sticks and stones is true. I have been called a racist and a bigot on the floor of the North Carolina Senate. I have had death threats over some of my strongly held beliefs. But I will never shy away from my faith.
A Christian should always be a witness for Christ in all that we do. We should never try to separate ourselves from our faith. It is who we are. We are not secret agents. We should loudly and proudly proclaim our faith and stand by the things that we know to be true.
Am I celebrating the election outcome? You betcha. I believe that Christians were inspired to go to the polls in record numbers. I believe that a miracle occurred when Donald Trump turned his head a tiny bit and avoided assassination. I believe that God has a plan for our country. I pray he transforms us into a country that he wants us to be and not the country that we deserve.
Trump is not a perfect man. I do believe that he has been chosen for such a time as this. Many things that we believe in are at stake. Our First Amendment rights as Christians have been challenged. We have seen parents speaking out at school board meetings about pornography in schools labeled as domestic terrorists. We have seen the government, through Lawfare, attempt to destroy many who did take a bold stand, including Trump.
My prayers are that the New Year will bring forth redemption and reckoning. Happy New Year to you and yours.
Sen. Joyce Krawiec has represented Forsyth County and the 31st District in the North Carolina Senate since 2014. She lives in Kernersville.
