We have a new President!
I went to bed last night not too excited about this news. Some of you this may be a surprise. Up until seven years ago I would have voted with the Democrats, but I started to change, grow up a little. My beliefs have changed dramatically in the last seven years. I think it all started with the loss of my son Richard and the realization that a prayer had been answered. But that's another blog.
So when this race started almost two years ago, I really started to pay attention. I listened to all the speeches, all the adds, all the questions being asked and their answers. I think I listened too much because I began to stress out about it, as if I could really do anything about it. That is not my place, it's not your place either. When I woke up this morning I still felt unhappy about the outcome of this election. I then realized that I would be telling my daughter who had won. Megan has been very interested in this election and had formed very strong opinions for a ten year old. Opinions I did not have, I tried not to influence her in any way. But she did not like Obama at all. She may have gotten some ideas from her Grandfather who is very outwardly opinionated, and unfortunately in my eyes a racist. (How did I ever turn out so well?) So when she asked me this morning who had won, I was hesitant to tell her. When I did she reacted unexpectedly, at first she was shocked but then finally came to terms with the news. She then proclaimed with an adult spirit " Good for Him!" God bless this child, she knows how important this is and what it means for our country.
We talked about this during breakfast and on the way to school. After I had dropped her off at school I turned up the radio. I was listening to WPER a christian radio station. Of course they were also discussing the outcome of the election. They too were a little like me, discouraged but Excited. As I listened to the DJ's I began to understand why they were excited. They were reading scripture and encouraging people to not be upset. One thing they said that completely opened my eyes was, God knew who was going to win, God put that person in place for a reason, we need to trust God and know that he is sovereign. We also need to pray for President Elect Obama, pray for his protection, and that God can use him for what he already has in place.
So now as I write this blog, I too am excited! We need a change of pace, and if Mr. Obama can bring it then I say good for Him. I'm excited that this invisible racial line has been crossed. People have for years denied that it exists, but it has. Now maybe we can move past our sins of 150 years ago and truly be, One nation under God indivisible with liberty and justice for all.
Just remember, "Nothing in ALL creation could separate us from God's love. Through the blood of His son, Jesus"
Please pray for our New President and our country. Know that God has a divine plan and all we can do is keep close to him and trust him.
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Hi Jess--It's G'pa George. First of all--you should tell your father to keep his racist attitudes to himself--that they are not welcome in your home and around you or your daughter. Remember that children have to be taught to hate--it does not come naturally.
ReplyDeleteI have lived for 75 years now and have seen 12 presidents come and go. I really believe that each generation has a person who comes along to provide real leadership. Franklin D. Roosevelt and Harry Truman were the ones in my parents' generation. John Kennedy, Lyndon Johnson and Ronald Reagan have come along in my generation. Reagan's politics and budget policies were terrible--he ran up the highest debt we had ever had until the present President Bush came along. But Reagan was a true optimist and gave us and much of the world hope.
You have not explained why you were so dismayed. Did you listen to President Elect Obama's speech last night? If you didn't, you shoud go on line and find it and listen to it. You should also listen to what Senator McCain had to say. These are two very important speeches.
The Republicans lost this race because they lied, they were mean, they were strident and their policies are just plain wrong. George Bush has lead this nation to the edge of disaster and Senat or McCain promised much of the same. So why would you have enven considered voting for him or wanting him for president? Why would you be afraid to tell your daughter that we may well have elected a world leader? Think carefully--look into your heart and try to find out why.
I am glad that you will pray for him--he will need all the prayer he can get. He has been handed one of the biggest messes any president could inherit. The hole George Bush has left him in is very deep and it will take a superhuman effort to get out. I also suggest you broaden your radio listening--try National Public Radio FM 88.5 or 90.9. You might be surprised how much more you might learn from other view points. You might ask yourself why the radio folks were discouraged. You may find that underlying all of this is a very subtle racism. So subtle that folks don't recognize it. It may also be that your "Christians" really believe Obama is a Muslim in disguise. He is not--he is a Christian, just like you, but I expect his viewpoint is much broader. Try living in a bigger world--you might jus tbe surprised.
Much love to you and yours,
G'Pa George
Okay,I wrote a long comment here in regard to your Grandpa's comment and it got deleted. Let me just summarize by saying that I resent the idea that simply because one is a Christian and didn't vote for Obama, that makes him or her secretly racist. I find it interesting that some of the most intolerant people seem to be those that claim to be the most accepting and open. It's not tolerance if you only tolerate ideas that are in line with your own.
ReplyDeleteThe beauty of this country is that we have freedom of choice. Obviously, Jessica's choice wasn't Grandpa George's choice, but I think his response to her came across as pretty insulting. I'm sure you're a great guy Grandpa George, but give Jess a little credit!
Sarah,
ReplyDeleteI think you may've misunderstood my fathers' comments. If you read carefully you'll see he did not equate being a Christian and not voting for Obama with being a racist. What he said, and I believe it's true, is that there are some people who may've been hiding their racism behind Christian platitudes.
I'm also a frequent listener to NPR. While hardcore rightwingers often try to peg NPR as liberal (and I'll admit some of the commentaries are, though many come from established conservatives as well), if you listen for a while you'll find they go out of their way to present both sides of an issue. I beleive NPR is one of the best ways to stay well informed on current events. It never hurts to expand one's worldview.
Jess, I too question your statement as well, but only because you failed to clarify your reason for being "discouraged" over hearing the news that Barak Obama had been elected President of the United States. Were you discouraged because you disagree with Obama's vision for the future of America? Are you discouraged over his stand on the many issues that confront America in the 21st Century? Why? Did you feel that John McCain's policies would have been better for our country? Did you believe his vision for America in the 21st century better? Why? Certainly, you have the right to your opinions, as do we all, but by not stating your reasons for feeling discouraged, you leave room for people to make their own assumptions. Remember, when you are willing to make your opinions public, be ready to be challenged from all sides! Debate IS good!
ReplyDeleteI think that it is odd
ReplyDeletethat some people think that you can not have your own opinions and thoughts
that differ from your friends or family.
That is just insane that people get so riled up in
other peoples opinions when that is just a small portion
of life yet we (people) make a big stink about it.
Anyway.
I applaud your own ideas and thoughts.
As Rodney King said
CAN'T WE ALL JUST GET ALONG?
Josh
That is why I like blogs.
ReplyDeleteYou can post on them what you want.
And if some should see it (gasp) and read what you really think
(double gasp) then you become like a super freak for what you are writing about.
Josh
Jess,
ReplyDeleteI encourage you and all your followers to listen to Speaking of Faith an wonderful NPR program that(http://speakingoffaith.publicradio.org)discusses religion, ethics, philosophy, and meaning. It's broad-ranging and objective, a refreshing change from the dogma heard so often in many churches, mosques, and synagogues. Krista Tippet has interesting guests and topics, and the tone is always respectful of people of all creeds and walks of life. It may help to put these times into perspective. I also believe that in times of crisis our nation has produced men and women of the kind of strength and character needed to lead us out of troubled times. It is my fervent hope that Barack Obama is one of these men. And as the mother of two multi-ethnic children, I couldn't be more hopeful that we are moving towards a time when all people in this country are truly equal, and as Martin Luther King said, "...judged not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character." When I think of Megan's answer upon hearing the news of Obama's victory, I thought it was appropriate; children are often good judges of character if they have not been taught to be predjudiced by others-including their parents. One thing we were taught, and my husband and I have tried to teach our children, is that they should make up their OWN minds about people and not be swayed, even by our opinions. And yes, Grandpa George is my dad too!
Love to you Jess, and your wonderful husband and daughter,
Kate