INAGURATION THOUGHTS

I have a confession to make: I did not vote for Barack Obama.

I have fundamental disagreements with some of our new President's expressed philosophies. And that's okay, because I have that freedom as an American.

And that's okay, because others have that freedom as well. And they exercised that freedom by electing Mr. Obama as the 44th President of the United States. And my heart is soaring as I write this because....Mr. Obama is my president too!

He did not get there because of a violent coup. He was not installed by a government dictatorship. No matter what our political leanings are, it's worth noting that Barack Obama was elected by a process that has endured for over 230 years. Very few places in the world can claim the peaceful transfer of power like our country.

The news mentioned some critics of all the inaguration day pomp. But this is a party...a party to celebrate one of the things that make this country great. I don't care for campaigns, but I love the fact that we can hand off the presidency with warmth, with excitement, and with a sense of newness. Presidents Bush and Obama embraced...the sharp divides set aside for this grand celebration. It is a day unlike any other.

And so I will pray for my new president. I will pray for Mr. Obama's health and safety and for great wisdom. I will support him and honor him. And yes, I will express my disagreements with him and avail myself of the system that allows me to disagree. And that's okay, because I have that freedom as an American.

God bless Barack Obama. And God bless the United States of America.