Yes We Can

I read something the other day from my devotional. It was about faith, and how having faith transcends the idea that life is a sequence of blessings that God gives us. It made me think; so often I feel that everything I have is a blessing from God. AND IT IS. But sometimes I think I find myself caught up in the notion that my relationship with God is a one way street. You know, God is so magnificent and beautiful because He gave me all of this. Because He gave me the relationships I have with people, because He gave me my amazing moments at Hendrix, because He gave me all of it. I can't tell you how filled my journal is with moments where I can feel God. Because I really can feel him everywhere. My point is though, that these moments happen because we have faith in Him. I can't lose sight of this. I can't rely on my life being a string of blessings that God has provided. It is so much more than that. My life is built on the faith I have in Him. Without that, I would be nothing. Without Him, I would be nowhere. It is with this faith in God that we have these blessings. I honestly believe that one of these blessings our country and this world has received is Barack Obama.

Last week was one of the most amazing weeks...well..ever. I have been around for some pretty important things in life. My generation has seen the election of two George Bushes, we have stood by for the tragedy of September 11th, we have seen the devastation of tsunamis and earthquakes worldwide, I have rooted the Broncos on to back-to-back superbowls, we have cringed as New Orleans residents were left standing on their houses after Hurricane Katrina, we have prayed as our troops have been deployed to Iraq after a seemingly endless war, but much of what we have experienced and grown up to witness pales in comparision to the election of Barack Obama. Not to say these events are subjugated under the election of Obama, but for the first time in my life I was involved in that. I, like many of my friends, helped elect this great man to the Presidential office.

BARACK THE VOTE.

OBAMA RAMA.

WE WILL BARACK YOU.

The Election Watch Party was fantastic. There was something special about sitting around with my friends cheering on Barack. Michelle and I danced for a good 15 minutes to some random techno music, and the moment the TV announced Barack as the projected winner for president I remember just sitting there flabbergasted. How could they know so soon? How could he win so quickly? Yet, after taking 4.3 seconds to realize it didn't matter, this man was the President-Elect of the United States the party began! The room was electrified with energy. It was amazing. I can't help but think what I would be thinking had this election happened a year ago. My, how things change. A year ago I would probably be devastated at Barack's win. I would have continued to be strangled by ideology that didn't even equate with the passions of my heart, and I would have continued on my close-minded path. I can't really pinpoint the time when everything changed for me politically. I do know that going on the Journeys of Reconciliation had a lot to do with. That wonderful trip taught me a lot, and I think it was during that trip somewhere down in the heart of Birmingham that I began to question what I thought was true. My whole life Republicanism was the way to be. If you have money and any sense of sanity voting red was your only option. Sure, there are things and issues that I would be considered conservative on: I am pro-life, for one. But there are bigger issues out there, and I believe Obama has the solution. It took me a long time for me to see it, but now I am so happy that I made an informed decision. Being home for the holidays will be interesting. Politics over dinner with a bunch of staunch Republicans? Goody. At least I will have things to say in return, after all, I voted for the man who actually won the election. I err on the side of most Americans, so ha.

Seriously though this election was a pivitol moment for our country and for our lifetime. Martin Luther King Jr. I have no doubt would be thrilled, and to see the first African American elected president is basically a dream come true. Finally. Finally. It's one of those things my grandchildren will be talking about. Our nation is changing. It's changing for the better. I feel overwhelmed to witness these historic events. To witness the changing of our reputation around the world. Barack Obama stands for something greater than we can even fathom; he has shown us that we can do anything. That might sound cheesy, but after 8 years of George Bush (God love him) we have someone who will bring about change.

"This is our chance to answer that call. This is our moment. This is our time - to put our people back to work and open doors of opportunity for our kids; to restore prosperity and promote the cause of peace; to reclaim the American Dream and reaffirm that fundamental truth - that out of many, we are one; that while we breathe, we hope, and where we are met with cynicism, and doubt, and those who tell us that we can't, we will respond with that timeless creed that sums up the spirit of a people:
Yes We Can. Thank you, God bless you, and may God Bless the United States of America."