For the first time ever, I have thrown my
hat in the ring for an elected position. No, I’m not talking about the
presidential campaign. I’m running for the Board of the Prairie Township Fire
Protection District.
Really.
Suddenly, and smack dab in the middle of Lent, I find myself
forming an election committee, creating a website, getting a bank account, and
all of the other minutiae of a political campaign. There is fundraising that needs
to be done, in addition to door-to-door visits. Not only that, but there will
be yard signs with my name on it that will pop up before the election.
This is way beyond my comfort zone. Trust me. There is not
an introvert in the world that looks forward to seeing their name stuck in
people’s yards and on the local highway.
Why am I doing this crazy thing? (Did I mention that it is
during Lent, which is Busy Season in my world?)
Even though it may sound like it’s a fairly minor position,
it comes with some pretty important issues attached. I’ve seen two houses burn
on my block, and I know now the importance of quality fire protection. Before
then, I had only seen a house fire on the evening news. It is so much more real
when you smell the smoke, hear the crackle of flames, and know the family who
is watching their house burn.
If the mission of any fire department is to preserve and
protect life and property, then I want to do anything I can to help my fire
department live out that mission in the best way possible for everyone within
their boundaries. Running for this board seems like an important thing that I can
do for my neighbors and my community.
It’s a contested election with some strong feelings on both
sides. Therefore, I’ll be campaigning. Thankfully, I won’t have to travel to
Iowa or New Hampshire, but I will be doing as much I can to communicate with
the good voters of the Prairie Township Fire Department.
I was talking with my 84-year old mother last week about
this campaign. She said, “Sally, you ought to be able to tie in being a
preacher with running for fire board!” “Umm, Mom, I’m not sure that’s such a
good idea.” “Just a minute, let me think, let me think . . .” And what did my
84-year-old mother come up with? “Vote for Sally. . . or you’ll burn!”
Ack! No. I love my mother dearly and usually try to do what
she tells me to, but no. She makes a much better mother than she does
slogan-writer.
The election will be on April 5. Until then, I’ll be both busy
pastor and busy candidate. I’m not sure exactly how, but I will trust that
everything that needs to get done will get done in both worlds.
In the meantime, I’m
still searching for that perfect slogan.