Letters to the President

I wish I were as eloquent with words as some. I read this today over at Lots of Scotts. I found it moving and right in line with my thoughts.

I hope you enjoy it.

Dear President Obama,

Today is truly a landmark day. It feels trite to even write about it because the press coverage has inundated us with reminders of what a shift this marks in the turbulent race relations this country has experienced throughout our history. I am proud of the advances we have made.

I did not vote for you, but I believe in a Sovereign Lord who appoints leaders. I will respect your position and your office. I do not hold ill will towards you, but instead I pray for you.

I pray that you will submit to the authority of The One who put you in office in the first place. There will be constant public opinion polls, water cooler chatter and talking heads espousing their views of your performance. I pray that the approval you seek will be from God alone.

I pray that you will remember the legacy of Martin Luther King, Jr and Abraham Lincoln, the two leaders you seem to seek to emulate the most. I pray that you will embrace their quest for equal rights. I pray that you will come to understand this as a call to protect ALL LIVES equally--including the unborn lives in this country.

I pray that you will be protected from the lies and the enemy, the intoxicating ill-effects of power and the human tendency to think of ourselves more highly than we ought.

I pray that the astounding swell of public support that you have (both from the media and many citizens of our world) will not go to your head but will, instead, go to your heart. I pray that you have appropriate confidence, but that you do not believe the hype about yourself. May you be a leader people follow not because they have to, but because they want to.

May your wisdom and strength come from the Lord. May your heart be tender towards the love and will of our Father.

I pray for your marriage and your family--that despite the intense glare of the media spotlight you will be able to have a home that is a haven of love, peace and rest.

May you be a leader who models integrity--who stands for things that count.

In short, I pray you don't blow it. But when you do make the inevitable mistakes, I pray you will be able to own up to them.

And finally, I pray that you will find your identity...not as a black man, a mixed race man, but as an American...and more importantly, as a dearly loved child of God placed in this position at this time for specific purposes. May you find your purpose and embrace it.

For more letters to the next president, click here.

While I watched the Election Results...

I've been trying to formulate my thoughts about this election and just haven't been able to do so in an articulate way.

However, I saw this on someone else's blog, and it is EXACTLY how I felt/feel.

I cried with joy and gratitude to see our country move beyond insane racial prejudice and recognize that all men are created equal.

I cried with sadness to see that our country has not yet moved beyond insane belief that all babies are not created equal and are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable rights-like the right to life.

I rejoiced that little black children FINALLY see someone who resembles them become President and know that it can happen for them as well.

I mourned that little children of all different colors will continue to be aborted, can never dream of being President, and that our future President, good man that he is, will not protect them.

I winced that a woman who raised a pioneering man did not live to see him make history.

I winced that a woman who raised a brave man did not get to see him elected.

I marveled that our country transfers power so easily and peacefully.

I marveled that ANYONE would want the job of President.

I admired a gracious concession speech by a true hero.

I admired a gracious acceptance speech by a man I admire for not making the race about race.

I vowed to pray for our future President's saftey, marriage, children, and legacy.

I vowed to teach my children to respect our leaders and to pray for them.

God reigns over the nations; God is seated on his holy throne...for the kings of the earth belong to God; he is greatly exalted. Psalm 47:8,9