I’m a Christian in a beer industry. A woman in a man’s business. I’m a female Christian facing the 2016 election. I’m a naturalized citizen in a divided America.
Talk about a whirlwind.
To clear the air, nobody forced me to work in the alcohol industry. It was a choice I made, and one I am thoroughly enjoying loving. And there are plenty of females in the hospitality industry. That’s not what I mean. But between owners, distributors and wholesalers – the meeting room is always packed with males. Males who know a lot about beer and whose job it is to sell beer. And I’m a female Christian managing a brewery brand.
As for the election, that was a double whammy as it was a hard enough choice for a female Christian, but even more so for a former lobbyist. Anyone who couldn’t see flaws in both candidates needs to get their head examined. Really. The presidential election was a decision based on the lesser of two evils. Personally, I’m a fiscal conservative who believes in small government, but as a Christian I couldn’t vote for Trump. I’m a strong woman who trusts a female will be president one day, but I couldn’t vote for Clinton. I’m a former lobbyist who is in awe of how we got to these two choices in the first place.
Yet through all the conflicts & challenges & differences, these things remain;
who I am, how I treat others, my faith and my convictions, and appreciation for this country.
Do I think Christians can’t sell beer? No.
If I am truly aiming to live like Christ, I will not stay in a comfortable bubble with only like-minded people. I can love others, listen, and pray. I don’t hide my faith but I also won’t bible thump. I am not the one to judge. I work for a company that is honest, authentic, community oriented and philanthropic, and makes quality beer. Choices I have to make every day for my job are made a lot easier because I know who I am through Christ.
Do I think males run the world? No.
I don’t care if you’re male, female, black, white, purple or homosexual – you can set yourself up for success in whatever you want to do. Believe in yourself. Don’t stop when someone challenges you, questions you, turns you down or stalls you. Continue to treat them as you would want to be treated. Give yourself the necessary tools, education, experience, and patience to get there. You run your own world, every day. Women have strengths and men have strengths; we all have strengths. They are all needed, warranted and valuable. I’ve had a lot of support, wisdom, and help from others to get where I am, but I first had to believe in myself.
Do I think America is doomed? No. 
Wake up, America. The fact that you’re allowed a peaceful protest because you don’t like the legitimate vote of a majority of your fellow Americans should be enough to make you grateful. I didn’t vote for the guy either, but I understand that he is now president-elect and made so by people whose voices matter just as much as mine does. Besides, the presidential office is one of MANY positions I was able to vote for. My daily life is much more impacted by local and state elected officials. My daily life is even more impacted by how I decide to treat and love others. My America is not doomed because I won’t contribute to its fall; I won’t subject myself to what divides us but rather what embraces us.
‘Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.’ – 1 Corinthians 16:13-14
Many of you will disagree with a lot of this post, which is certainly allowed. I hope you remember this is simply just one opinion of many fellow humans.
That, and remember to just, love life.
Love,
Chianne
*Views are of mine alone
Just, Love Life 