In many ways it was just an ordinary day. But in others, it was so not ordinary...
History was made. (Finn was not poking himself with anything dangerous, I promise!)
Two of my children watched with awe. The third was at preschool which allowed us to watch this historical event rather than Dora or Diego.
I wanted to post for you who did not hear it, Rev. Rick Warren's Prayer. I really just wanted the written copy but as I searched for it late last night, it seems to not be easy to come by. So, if you haven't heard it, please take the time to listen. I have no doubt that Rev Warren was placed just where he was supposed to be by a hand my larger than President Obama's.
I was going to post the words simply because I was moved by them. They gave me hope. A man I did not vote for was elected president. History that I am thrilled to see made in the election of an African American President gives me hope and I know gives hope to many who have not thought such things were possible. We have raised above our past on some levels, but on some other levels I am very fearful, because although I think Obama has some great ideas, many of his ideas are not so great. Many of his ideas are at direct opposition to my own. Hearing Rev Warren gave me hope, because I know that he does not stand beside many of Obama's choices but he knows that our God is bigger than any man and that our God knew that this man would be our president thousands of years before we did. So there is hope.
He was also very reassuring to me somehow because all morning there had been a knot in my stomach. Seeing all those people. there was a fear deep in my being for their safety. Only a few special people to me will understand this paragraph, but that is ok...the rest of you can skip ahead! For several days I again felt I should pray for the men who are like my brother. I hoped the sky would be overcast, snowing, but it wasn't, it was a blue blue sky. There were men who are like my brother sitting on the water just beyond all the hoopla. I had an overwhelming urge to call someone who understood and a name came over me. I am blessed that this friend, did not think me crazy, but instead understood exactly what I was saying and felt we should pray together over the phone...something I have never done. I might have been a tad uncomfortable, but God sent me to her and after I hung up the phone I felt very calm. After Rev Warren finished the Lord's prayer I felt peaceful.
What shocked me a bit, I guess because I live in this bubble of people who have the same faith I do. I surround myself in the blog world with others who have the same kind of convictions and love for my Jesus. Because of this when searching for the inaugural prayer last night I was blown away by the controversy that Obama asking Warren to do this caused. I read some horrible, hateful things. I also read a few blogs from those I deeply respect who had tones of anger towards the whole situation of this new president of ours. The biggest issues seem to be very simple, gay marriage and abortion. Last night after reading these things I lay awake in my chair (musical beds and a little incision issue that kept me up half the night)at about 4 am writing a blog about these issues in my head. It was a good blog. Really good. With scriptural back up and thoughts about love and kindness and this world we live in. It would have gone on forever. But now I'm here and I'm typing and I'm not sure those words are all right...
So I step up on my soapbox ...
But then again, I step down, because life happens and I've changed my mind. Not that I couldn't go on for a bit about my thoughts and feelings on these matters, but right now it seems other things feel more pressing. So right now, I will stop, and get over myself and tell you what I think the bottom line is. God Is in Control. Don't get angry, don't get fearful, start praying. Pray for our world, our country, our president, & those around him. Pray for their hearts to feel the pull of God, our God, our Jesus. this is my blog, and I will freely and loudly say My Jesus. He's my guy and Pastor Warren wasn't afraid to say that. I don't love you any less if you feel differently and My Jesus, he's pretty cool, he wouldn't love you any less either.
On a completely different note, these were some cool pictures I found on my camera card while uploading pictures tonight. The were taken by Lily, and I thought they were totally blogworthy!
2 comments:
Lily-
Being a huge fan of peanut butter & our church- i LOVE the pb pic!
I am glad you are in the blogging world. I do not think for a second that encounters with angry people spewing vitriol will every change the way you believe or what you believe, but I do think it will be less shocking each time. And it is good to know the context in which we all live. I also don't think a dispassionate and reasoned argument would ever change your faith either. But hopefully those encounters will be less unpleasant.
I didn't like Warren. I thought him unctuous. But then I am not a Christian. Still, I can understand why his words would give some peace. It helps to read the blogs and personal experiences of those I love who do believe in order to have a better perspective on how such an event can be taken. It adds to the richness of the experience and the context of our country IMO.
In the end though, I tend to look at all public oratory through the eyes of a ten year old with a decent vocabulary. Warren said the daughters names so weirdly that it took me back and the reverend at the end was hilarious. Oh good gravy that poem. I felt like imitating the staccato style all day. Yeah, it's immature, but at least it is consistent! Everyone gets teased a little.
Gotta say, I enjoy reading your posts even though I do not have the same faith as you do and if you hop on a soapbox I don't see it. You express your beliefs and so far I have not ever had the impression that you deny others their beliefs or cut them down. To me the soapbox means that a person is preaching one way to the exclusion and denigration of all other ways. And you don't do that. Even here you offer your compassion to all regardless and take ownership of your faith in the process. That's kindness and free speech in my book and good on you for it.
I wanted to say that because I know what it is like to feel in that bubble knowing that other perspectives may or may not be helpful. Like being around little ones all day, sometimes it can be hard to switch it up to a different crowd and you don't want to get too rusty and end up cutting some grown up's steak into bite sized pieces for them. I try to expose myself to other perspectives just for that reason. Some are helpful only because I need to know who to be wary of, but many are helpful in either fortifying a belief or making me think further than I had.
I get the impression that is something you would do and you must if you stumbled across the angries.
Anyway, pat yourself on the back for it. Too many people I know are so caught up in espousing that they never even try to hear something else. You do open your ears even if it is going to be unpleasant. I admire that.
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