Education Matters US

I have several questions to ponder. Please answer them honestly in relation to last week’s election. Only answer them to yourself. I do not want them answered here. The answers are between you and God. These questions are from Peacemaker Ministries website, Heart of the Conflict link. I have modified the questions to be more relevant to our current situation. Please read the above link for a better explanation and to see why these questions are used.

Questions for the Yes Voters:

1. What am I preoccupied with? What is the first thing on my mind in the morning and the last thing on my mind at night?
2. How would I complete this statement: “If only _____________, then I would be happy, fulfilled, and secure”?
3. Do I feel frustration, anxiety, resentment, bitterness, anger, or depression over the referendum not passing?
4. Do I feel frustration, anxiety, resentment, bitterness, anger, or depression over the candidates I supported not getting elected?
5. Where do I put my trust?
6. What do I fear?
7. Is there something I desire so much that I am willing to disappoint or hurt others in order to have it?
8. Am I criticizing, nit-picking, nagging, attacking, condemning those who voted No? if so, why?
9. Am I giving people room for independence, disagreement, failure or am I imposing my expectation on them?
10. Am I expecting the No voters to give allegiance to my desires and when they refuse to do so, do I condemn them in my heart and with my words?
11. Am I trying to punish those who voted No with harsh and hurtful words so they vote Yes next time?

Questions for the No Voters:

1. What am I preoccupied with? What is the first thing on my mind in the morning and the last thing on my mind at night?
2. How would I complete this statement: “If only _____________, then I would be happy, fulfilled, and secure”?
3. Do I feel superior to those who lost the election?
4. Where do I put my trust?
5. What do I fear?
6. Is there something I desire so much that I am willing to disappoint or hurt others in order to have it?
7. Am I criticizing, nit-picking, nagging, attacking, condemning those who voted Yes? if so, why?
8. Am I giving people room for independence, disagreement, failure or am I imposing my expectation on them?
9. Am I expecting the Yes voters to give allegiance to my desires and when they refuse to do so, do I condemn them in my heart and with my words?
10. Am I trying to punish those who voted Yes with harsh and hurtful words because they wanted to raise my taxes?

Inflicting pain on others is one of the surest signs that an idol is ruling our hearts (see James 4:1-3). When we catch ourselves punishing others in any way, whether deliberately and overtly or unconsciously and subtly, it is a warning that something other than God is ruling our hearts.

We must learn to forgive and move on to find solutions. Our kids’ education is at stake. What we teach our kids in how to deal with this situation is very important. It will teach then conflict resolution or it will teach them bitterness. That is our choice today.

I would like to start by publicly apologizing to Ursula Ahern for posting the flyer on my website without knowing its source.

I can honestly say that all the other information I have placed on this website has not been in an attempt to harm anyone, especially our kids. My intentions have been a desire to help our school system in a way that is beneficial for the long term and not just the immediate future.