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!
