November 5, 2008

Today the sun seems to shine a little brighter, the air seems sweeter, and I walk with strength in my step. Last night there was a change from what has been. A new possibility has appeared on the horizon. Barack Obama has been elected to be our 44^th President. People left work, got up off their couches, walked out of their houses, and gathered with many others to make this change.

Like many others all over the world Debbie and I watched as the votes were counted. Like the village in Kenya, Nyangoma-Kogelo, where Obama's father was born Debbie and I watched as various states on the map changed color to either red or blue.

Like the people in London, British and Americans alike, Debbie and I watched as the electoral vote for Obama increased until finally it topped the 270 votes needed to insure him the Presidency. Like Jesse Jackson, who was in the crowd of people gathered in Grant Park to hear the words the new President-elect spoke to the world, I had a tear in my eye

The part of the speech that had the most impact on me was the story of Ann Nixon Cooper, the 106 year old who voted yesterday.

He spoke of all she had seen in her lifetime, all the changes that she witnessed, all the history that happened during her 106 years. Then Obama reminded us that there is still so much more to do. Then he touched my heart when he asked,

"If our children should live to see the next century; if my daughters should be so lucky to live as long as Ann Nixon Cooper, what change will they see? What progress will we have made?"

He told us that this is our time to make a change,

"This is our moment. This is our time."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/11/04/obama-victory-speech_n_141194.html

I'm also reminded of the words of Jack's sermon on Sunday,

"In times of crisis, it is important to take a long view. We need to look deep and we need to look wide as well as looking back and forward. Let's be thankful for those who have lived before us."

"In times of crisis, it is especially important to take a long view. We need to look down the road as far as we can � imagining the world we hope to see and our shaping it with creativity. Without hope, we will not survive. Without a vision, we will not thrive."

http://www.crossroadschurchkc.org/Worship/2008/20081101-A-Long-View-Jack-Price.asp

Today the sun seems to shine a little brighter, the air seems sweeter, and I walk with strength in my step. Today I say: