Blogs politics & government

Thanksgiving

Actually I’d run out of space and still not manage to thank everyone. But, as this blog is about politics and government, I want to thank Pastor Claudia Rodríguez de Castellanos because, if it wasn’t for her, this blog wouldn’t exist, because politics wouldn’t even be part of our church’s vision. So, I’m taking the liberty to share something I wrote to Pastor Claudia when she was battling with her health. Sometimes we only show our love at difficult times or on special occasions, but today I want to challenge you to make every day Thanksgiving Day.

“Pastor, many times I’ve wanted to say various things to you. I realise that sometimes we don’t say what we ought to, and at other times we say what we ought not to. But this time I don’t want to remain silent. I want to show my deep admiration, gratitude and great appreciation.

Thank you for your example. Your example of faith, both a childlike faith but also a powerful, surprising and strong faith. Your example of love and devotion for God, for your family, for the church and for the nation. Your example of Beauty, which motivates us to reflect Christ as his princesses and ambassadors. Your example of authority: the authority of a woman who is always sweet and has the strength she needs to face challenges and lead a people.

Thank you for the Word. Nobody has impacted my life through the Word as much as you have. Each teaching you bring is a revelation from God which helps me believe, grow, dream, get back on track, and come back to the heart of Christianity free of religiosity and pretence.

Thank you for helping us to dream and to believe that it’s possible to see our nation changed and that it will be made possible through us. I have much more to thank you for, but I want to say a special thank you for the faith you’ve had in me, which has allowed me to conquer my fears, overcome difficulties and walk in victory.

Thank you for believing in me ever since I was really young and willingly participated in the challenges you set, not only in the ministry but also in politics, always confident of the great lady I was following...Thank you for never letting me down.

My desire is that I will never disappoint you but, instead, that I will be a good disciple, and even more, a good daughter, because there is still a long way to go and many victories, miracles and dreams to see fulfilled. My desire is to be there working alongside you. Thank you for letting me be close and, in that closeness, to receive direction, correction, and above all, encouragement and a model to follow.

In closing, I just want to take the words of Ruth to Naomi to show what is in my heart:

“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God.”