Inauguration Day
If you are an American, there is something special about the inauguration of a new president. One day in January momentarily silences the preceding September, October and November. Of course we’ve all lived long enough to understand the sentiment won’t last; but for one day, an individual’s party affiliation doesn’t much matter. America pauses from her collective cynicism to share a prayer of hope.
Of course there are detractors, people on the polar sides of both parties who will do their best to help America focus on the failures of the past and the criticisms of our probable future. For one day we attempt to ignore them. Would that this day last for several months. Today is a day for Americans on the left to consider the presidency of George W. Bush and extend grace; to remember how he inspired all of us to be the best American versions of ourselves after the 2001 tragedy. Those on the right are invited to embrace the hope that President-Elect Obama has preached. We all share an opportunity to lay down the ideologies that attempt to divide our American humanity.
Tomorrow, or perhaps by 9 p.m. tonight all the goodwill will dissipate. Hope will be tempered. We’ll remember our country’s place in the world. The economy and unemployment will become topics of conversations. Business as usual. Enjoy the coming together for however long it may last. Say a prayer of thanks for George W. Bush; even if you’ve been a political enemy. Thankfulness can become a sort of salve to heal one’s own short-comings. Say a prayer of hope for our incoming president. Hope allows us to see through present troubles.
When you’ve spoken the “Amen” to your prayers remember to place your hope in the correct places, in a King and Kingdom… I have to go; it’s almost time.
Well said, my feeling exactly. What an awesome day in history we get to witness instead of a bad where were you when? its is a good where were you when day, I am grateful to witness it and feel the spirit of it! Awesome!!
I’m afraid I didn’t feel the good will when the Bush’s appeared and the crowd began singing “Hey, Hey, Hey Good-Bye. For a brief moment, I was embarrassed and ashamed. When did respect become “UnAmerican?”
I know President Obama is a devoted fan of Abraham Lincoln, so I pray that he remebers two statements made by his hero: 1) “Everyone says, ‘God bless America,’ but I say “America, bless God!” and 2) “The question is not, ‘Is God on our side?’, the question is, ‘Are we on God’s side?’.”
I am very concerned about the faith that so many Americans have placed in Obama. I heard one woman tell an interviewer that she will no longer have to worry about being able to put gas in her car or pay her mortgage. A state senator from Maryland said it doesn’t matter if Maryland is broke, as long as Obama is president. What are these people smoking? I am not against Obama. I will pray for him continuously. But Americans must realize that no human being is going to fix their lives. He is just a man. Government is not where we should be placing all of our hope. God is.
Yeah, I was disappointed with the crowd too. Fortunately the classless seemed a quelled minority. Any president, from any party is just a man chosen to lead.
Unfortunately, there have been too many elections where I have been forced to choose the lesser of two evils. Not since the first presidential election where I was of age to vote, have I been excited about voting for a President. I was very disappointed on how the past President performed in the past few years. I’m not sure if he indeed changed his values, or the many fights while in office had beaten him down, but I felt let down. I did not vote for the current President, however, I support the President no matter who hold the office.
The hope you speak of is still alive, however, after this first week, some nervousness, and maybe a little fear has crept in. I have seen a little of my importance as an American, husband, father, man, slip away. I’ll admit that I have pride. I want to take care of my wife, my family, my neighbors… if / when I fail, I want to be able to get back up, try again, try harder, try something different. I want to learn from my mistakes, so I don’t make the same mistakes again. I see the ability to fail and grow stronger being taken away from me, from our country. I don’t want a bailout… how about a kick in the pants to get me going again.
My hope is for a resurgence personal responsibility. It is the responsibility of America’s citizens to take care of their own… their families, their community, and their country. Government just needs to get out of the way and let us be America.
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea!