Leader or Lame Duck?

Wow. How quickly things can change in a few weeks! Who could have predicted such a wild ride in Canadian politics as was this week? My 'Pie in the Sky' idea was not only beyond reach...it was out of this world. People who normally pay no attention to politics watched the news in rapt attention. Would we keep the Prime Minister who was voted in? Or would the other parties (who separately did very poorly in election results) join together in a coalition, overthrow the governing party, and decide that our new Prime Minister would be the one for whom Canadians said a resounding 'NO!'.

"Not a leader". Poor Stephane. You know we really didn't need all the negative advertising about him during the election campaign. He seems to have a black cloud over his head that follows him. How good can you feel when the media continually refers to you as 'the lame duck'? When I have seen him screaming with all his might in the House of Parliament, unable to quite get the english correct, I get a mental picture of him keeling over and falling to the ground with uncontrollable sobbing. Makes me want to hug him. The other night his fiasco address to the nation that wasn't....well it finally was.... after the television crews had closed shop...was not all his fault...but could only happen to him. Not everyone is a leader. We'd be in deep trouble if we all were. Perhaps Dion's makeup is such that he should stay behind the scenes planning policy and strategy....mmm...no, maybe not the strategy part.

Depends on who you talk to as to whether Stephen is considered a good leader. He definitely represents Canada well on the international front as he speaks well and is very intelligent. Is he a good leader?

I think a great leader should be able to sit in a room with those of opposing views and when they all leave, it is understood that they have all had equal time, were truly heard, respected and know that their points of view will be seriously considered. Obviously, the would-be coalition isn't getting that message.

Canadians are sick of politicians this week. Not one leader of a party was respectable this week. I would like to see Mr Harper issue a sincere apology to the opposition, give an admission of his guilt of any part that he was responsible for in the dysfunctional Parliament, and pledge to work to be more conciliatory, and accountable or else he will resign. Otherwise, if the Conservative government does not fall, we will be right back to this point again. Trouble is, once trust is gone, it is very difficult to gain it back...if ever.

There. I've given my opinion. I feel better.

Or do I?

Actually Canadians are sick of a lot of people these days...especially people who call themselves 'Christians'. I don't blame them.

Some 'Christians' feel entitled to spout off their opinions, slamming people who don't agree with them, judging those who they feel are wrong and need to be put in their place, refusing to listen, becoming so incensed with the issue they forget the individual. For what?? To fight for God as if He needs us? To win an argument? To make someone change their opinion? To take a strip off another person? To know that "I'm right and they're wrong"?? To.......feel better? Ouch.

I know myself...and there are many days I am exactly like a 'politician' in my attitudes, actions, words, thoughts. I'm not a leader by nature but every one of us, leader or not, needs humility as a part of their character in order to connect with others. Without humility, we alienate ourselves from people....and from God. And without it we eventually fall very hard.

The world needs humility for peace to reign...but the world is made up of individuals...each of us need to consider the other person better than ourselves, regardless of our differences. Respect, and yes,....that word...'tolerance'. We need to follow the example of the One who washed His disciples' feet and associated with 'sinners'.

Humility towards God and towards people...they go hand in hand.

Speaking of ducks (yes, we were) ....all of us can appear to be gliding along just fine in life....smoothly making progress. But don't forget....there's a whole lot of hard work and paddling that needs to go on unseen beneath the surface to really get anywhere. We're far from perfect and often miss the mark because of our pride. Progress requires humility and offering the same grace to others that we ourselves require. Without it...we sink. And without God to help us achieve it...we're lame ducks (no inference to anyone intended....honest).