As I watched the inauguration this morning, I realized I was thinking less than charitable thoughts about pretty much everyone involved.I imagined Bush heading home this afternoon to take Excedrin and a nap, perhaps chuckling at the burden Obama has taken on or possibly still bristling at the comments about much-needed change.
I rolled my eyes at the hype surrounding our new president, even saying to my co-worker that when expectations are so astronomically high, disappointment may not be inevitable, but it is likely.
Then I heard our President say this: “Now, there are some who question the scale of our ambitions – who suggest that our system cannot tolerate too many big plans. Their memories are short. For they have forgotten what this country has already done; what free men and women can achieve when imagination is joined to common purpose, and necessity to courage.” (CBS News)
Right then I realized: my cynicism was not showing a lack of faith in Barack Obama. No, it was showing a lack of faith in God, the One really in charge of it all. And it was showing a lack of faith in and loyalty to the country we call home.
So today I determined that I will have hope. Hope in our country, hope in our leaders and most importantly, hope in the God who rules all nations. Today I have hope.
(And today – in the headline – I made yet another Freaks & Geeks reference. I’m sorry. I’ll try to stop. It’s just hard, man, really hard.)
Image by Sumerset
