The People Have Spoken!

Wow, after 2 long years, it's over in just a matter of a few hours! I would have loved to be celebrating McCain's appointment today as the leader of the free world, but it is a different kind of celebration. Though President-elect Obama was not our family's choice, he is the majority's choice. How wonderful to be an American and to know like it or not, our leader is our choice!!

Today we celebrate many things. The first being that we belong to the greatest country in the world and with that comes the privelege of being able to vote for our leader. We owe much gratitude to not only our forefathers, but the great men & women who have fought and continue to make sure we have this right.

We also celebrate that history has been made in our country. I can't deny how prideful as an American I was last night, as I saw a man stand on that stage in Chicago, be declared President-elect of the United States, and know that our country has moved forward from racial divide. No matter what party I voted for, it was really a defining moment--the black man was not secondary to the white man and it was very evident when Joe Biden joined Obama on the stage. It wasn't about the color. It was about the man and who he was. Men have died so that Senator Obama would have this privilege. We are created equal and like his politics or not, God had to be pleased that maybe "we are getting it" as a people.

I also celebrate that we are priveleged as a nation to do as God has called us to do, to pray for the leaders of our nation. We don't have to do it in secret or with fear, we are able to do as God has commanded us to do and this is huge as people all over the world suffer persucution just for seeking God out.

I also celebrate that many Americans have realized that their vote is important, it does matter. It was exciting to see a spark lite in so many people, some for the first time. Millions had registered to vote and stood in lines (many for hours) for the privelge of voting. Millions, thats incredible. I've never seen that before. It was awesome!

Whatever the future holds, its ok. As I told Steve this morning, this is not a surprise to God. He allowed it to happen for whatever reason. We will continue to pray for Obama & his family as we have as a family for President & Mrs Bush and their protection. He has a rough road ahead of him. We will do what Americans do best. Stand together and behind our new leader and unite as a country.

We may not have voted for the new president but we respect his position as President of the United States. We will not live our lives in fear but in anticipation that God is still in control, continues to have a plan for our lives, and nothing will happen that He has not allowed. So today, Jim has a new boss and we have a new President. God bless America and God bless us all!