Break from the usual

Today is a good day to take a bit of a break from the usual. Typically, we use this blog as an opportunity to share cute pictures of Sadie with our family and friends and give updates on what Lyn and I have been doing.

Sadie and I spent nearly all day yesterday playing, eating and napping (her not me - I try to reserve naps for Sunday afternoons) with CNN Live in the background. We took a few moments, such as during President Obama's inaguration speech, to take a break from playing, etc. to sit and watch attentively. I realize that this past election session was a difficult and controversial one for many followers of Jesus.

No matter who you voted for, and no matter how excited or nervous you are about the next four years, there was no way that you can ignore the historical significance of the events yesterday. I, personally, fought the whole lump-in-the-throat thing all morning as I watched interviews with Rosa Park's attorney, Dr. Martin Luther King's speech writer and attorney, Congressman John Lewis, and many others connected with the civil rights movement.

When President Obama took the oath of office (that the Chief Justice screwed up - good grief it is in the Constitution!), I was struck by the fact that a man who (40 years ago and in some places in the South not so long ago) would not have been able to stop at a roadside restaurant and expect to be served lunch, was now the most powerful man in the world.

Imagine being a man or woman in the crowd who had prayed for equality, marched for equality, been beaten for equality, and unlawfully arrested in the fight for equality, who was able to see with one's own eyes a piece of that dream realized. Some commentators said yesterday was the fulfillment of Dr. Martin Luther King's dream. Some said it was a down payment on the dream. Regardless of to what measure one felt that the dream was fulfilled, it is true that the events yesterday were a huge step in the right direction for America in regards to racial equality.

I was convicted that there is still so much about the civil rights struggle that I am not aware of and do not understand. Lyn and I talked last night about how there are so many people who simply are ignorant in regards to the struggle. As a matter of fact, she and I both saw a modern day example of black face (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blackface - take the time to learn if you don't know what it is) last night. I was able to cool my anger with the hope that the people participating in it were young and hopefully simply ignorant, but everytime I think about it I want to yell...and then cry.

The picture did serve as a reminder though, that while America has come a long way (as was demonstrated yesterday) in regards to racial equality; we still have so many more battles to fight and people to educate. I hope that you were inspired yesterday and hopeful for the future. May we all live in such a way that we may demonstrate the love that God has for all people and the truth that all people are created in the image of God and are of equal value and deserving of equal treatment.

FYI - I am planning a trip to The King Center in Febuary if anyone wants to carpool.