I’ve taken a couple of days to think through this Health Care Reform Bill and ponder the ramifications that it brings about.  I must confess that Sunday night, I was angry.  I couldn’t even watch as one by one Congress men and women stood up and made their case because it felt so terribly deceptive and wrong.  They weren’t making a case for or against the bill – they were lobbying.  Not all of them, of course.  I can count on one hand the few who I sensed truly and passionately believed that what they were arguing was right (on both sides of the debate).  The rest, however, were making a campaign speech.  It made me feel violated.  I found myself pacing the kitchen, yelling at the TV and, finally, turning my back and trying to tune it all out.  I was mad.

Today?  Today I’m disappointed.  I’m not angry anymore.  I’m just very, very disappointed.

I’m disappointed in our leaders and their lack of leadership.

I’m disappointed in the Democrats for their arrogant dismissal of public concern.  For their willingess to push this thing forward despite a majority of Americans being against this particular bill.  Take note that I did not say that those of us who opposed this bill were against reform…

I’m disappointed in the politicians who pontificate as though we the people are no more than uneducated toddlers who need our hands held and paths directed.

I’m disappointed that our elected leaders are more interested in appeasing their constituents than in doing the right thing.

I’m disappointed in the Republicans for their arrogant misuse of power.

I’m disappointed in our President for placing his desire to make a legacy for his Presidency over the will and good of the people.

I’m disappointed that our leaders are willingly spending money we don’t have on a bill that no one understands.

I’m disappointed in the elected officials who did not have the courage to vote with their gut because they feared it would lose them precious votes at the polls.

I’m disappointed that my children will inherit this massive debt someday.

I’m disappointed that despite the enormous public outcry, our leaders weren’t able to come together and craft a bill that was more acceptable and fair.

I’m disappointed that politics came before the people.

I’m disappointed that our health care system was allowed to deteriorate to the place that it is now.

I’m disappointed that I don’t feel like I can trust a single politician any further than I can throw him…or her.

I’m disappointed…

I’m not sad or mad, though, and I have not lost hope.  By nature I tend to be fairly optimistic.  I hope that this health care reform bill will succeed.  I have doubts that it will, but I do hope.  I hope my fears, and the fears of thousands of others, are unfounded and wrong.  But a nagging thought keeps tapping the back of my mind – What if our fears and concerns are right?

I take courage in one thought and one thought alone…

Jesus is still the same yesterday, today and forevermore.  Some of you may not share that same conviction, but I find an enormous amount of comfort in the fact that none of this is a surprise to Him who is ultimately in control.  Do I want to suffer the consequences for bad decisions?  No, I really don’t.  But I won’t fear tomorrow – I will take rest that tomorrow will not surprise the One who ordained it from the beginning of time.