I was recently on a Texas State Team Leadership zoom call for Convention of State (COS) and was truly impacted by a question asked by Roger Haynes, TX House District (HD) 119, VCD Team, “what keeps you up at night?”
The question was powerful. I wanted to hear what keeps other volunteer activists up at night. I reached out to a few to get their thoughts on the questions and what they see as a solution to a better night’s sleep.
Kim Roland TX House District 17, Lockhart
“I’m a Christian and what keeps me up at night is the thought of living in the ‘End Times.’ I pray and grieve for family, friends, innocent children & youth who have been duped by the evil of Marxism and secularism to deny Christ and forsake God. The answer for me lies in the last book of God’s Word, The REVELATION, where we are foretold the outcome. That is what gives me peace in my heart, mind, and soul, as ultimately this evil will be conquered in the end.”
Erika Hatfield, COS State Director, Texas
“I see so much patriot activity going on that it really helps me sleep. If I can’t sleep, it’s because there is so much to do and finding/matching the right person to take on new tasks is not happening fast enough. Right now, we need project manager, and [sic] administrative skills to help with self-governing activities. Then there are timing issues where someone with great skills steps up, but the timing is not right where the processes where not yet in place. I’m not a friend of the word “volunteer,” because saving our Republic/keeping our Republic is not volunteering for Convention of States, it’s self-governance to keep our Republic.”
Emanuel Valdez, Veteran Coalition Leader
“A veteran’s duty doesn’t necessarily cease once the uniform is removed. As a retired U.S. Army Command Sergeant Major my concern for my fellow soldiers is what “keeps me awake at night.”
Owning a home is a goal of many Americans. The soldiers who served to provide for the safety and security of our country are held hostage by the ever-rising property taxes in Texas.
The current personal property tax structure has the potential to leave veterans at risk of being taxed out of their homes within 3-5 years. I believe all citizens of the U.S. would agree with me when I state, 'slavery in any form has no place in today's America'.
We immediately become an indentured servant of the government in perpetuity because we have toiled and saved to achieve part of the American dream in owning a home. The threat of fines, confiscation and/or incarceration is and may become all too real to veterans in the state of Texas. This clear clandestine overreach of power should be a concern to all of us.
Together we should all endeavor to resolve, through grass roots efforts, come to a tenable solution for veterans and the state of Texas.”
You don’t want to miss the short video below. Listen to the thoughts of Jonathon Viaud, COS Regional Director-Passes States, Al Torres, COS State Director, Texas, and Joanne Martin, District Captain TX House District 73 on "What Keeps You Up at Night."
I saved the most profound, and personally moving reply to my question for last.
Darren York, TX State Chaplain
“As part of our COS Texas State Leadership Team and as a COS grassroots activists when posed with the question “what keeps me up at night” and what solution successfully addresses that concern, I can honestly say “nothing”. [sic].
As a grassroots activist, there is a constant string of issues that need to be engaged and activities to be involved. These issues can be very serious, like election integrity, constitutionally protected rights, preserving individual liberties, sound and principled education for our future generation and the list could go on and on unfortunately.
There are not enough hours in the day to “tilt at every windmill” or issue and I have learned that balancing and prioritizing activism with work, family and my spiritual relationship is of the greatest importance. After all, how will I know what issue is correct for my advocacy without God’s leadership and direction of my spirit by His. How will I benefit my family with these activities in the future if I neglect and don’t balance my family time today.
I have come to not only appreciate but put into action the words of John Quincy Adams, when asked why he so fervently advocated for the abolition of slavery in the face of impossible circumstances. He simply said, “Duty is ours, results are God’s.” In that simple response I find my peace to not be worried or afraid and humble myself to recognize and surrender to the fact that I am not in control and oh what freedom that provides.
My focus is not on what battle is imminent or how I propose to win it. My focus is first of all, in trusting God (Proverbs 3:5-6) to “light my path” for the things that I need to be involved with and to use me as a vessel to accomplish his purpose, whether in victory, failure or stalemate. He has charged me with investing the talents that he has provided me and not to fear the amount of return or lack thereof.
He simply expects me to invest them and put them to work as He directs (Matthew 25:14-30). That is my duty. The return or results are His doing and I can honestly say, that alone provides the peace and satisfaction to sleep well at night with no fears and no regrets.”
I would image that the beliefs held by these activists resonate deeply with most of us. The overriding theme I ascertained from those I talked to is that God is in control. That does not mean we sit back and wait for this nation's healing.
As grassroots activists, we are called to work for the salvation of our country with the guidance He provides for us. That should make for a good night's sleep for all of us.
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