"But Daddy..." by Bob Perks © 2000

"I didn't know what to say to her. She really took me by surprise. I believe that children are truly God's messengers," he said.

We were talking about the election. Something I try not to do with friends. Simply because I don't want to lose a friend over an opinion. When it comes to politics conversations can quite often turn into disagreements.

But this is one I will never forget.

"I didn't know who I was going to vote for in the election," my friend said. "But my daughter helped me to make up my mind."

"I know that daughters have great power over their Daddy's, but what would a child know about the election?" I asked.

"We were watching TV over the weekend and there was a news program that ran clips from the debates. You know how children are. She asked me a hundred questions and in doing so provided me with the answers I needed to make my decision," he said.

He shared with me all of the questions his young child asked of him and in doing so reminded me that it takes a lifetime to gain worldly wisdom. But the wisdom of a young child is still fresh from God as if He placed it there in an effort to grab our attention.

I don't often write poetry. But since I was not there to hear the exact conversation between this Father and his child, I have taken upon myself to present her wisdom in a proper format.

I will tell you in advance that I was shaken by her insight. I believe her answer is the only true answer to America's problems. This is how their conversation went that night:


"But Daddy…" by Bob Perks © 2000

"Daddy," asked the young child, "Who's the man on TV?"
"Is he the President, Daddy?" she asked.
"Well, he really wants to be."
"He's talking about the taxes and all he wants to do."
"But Daddy, will he keep me safe when I'm away from you?"

"They're talking about the issues that most people want to hear."
"But Daddy when I go to school it's the guns I really fear."
"Well, Honey it seems the other man's saying quite the same."
"But Daddy, all they really say is the other is to blame."

"Now he speaks of health care, he says his plan is strong."
"But Daddy, can he save my friend, he doesn't have that long.
His Mommy cries all through the night and prays he makes it through.
Cancer Daddy, is killing him what can the President do?"

"He says that education will make our country strong."
"But Daddy what about the old people, where do they belong?
Just yesterday a lady said she can't afford to eat.
She chooses between her medicine or paying for the heat."

"Well, my love what would you do, if it were up to you?"
"I know what's right you told me so, and I trust in you."
"I haven't made my mind up, I've been undecided from the start."
"But Daddy it is easy just vote what's in your heart."

"Through history we fought and died to keep this country free.
Our strength is in our people what we need is unity."
"But Daddy I hear them talking and I really find it odd.
The answer is we need to give our country back to God."

"I Believe in you!"
©Bob Perks 2000

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