Thoughts about the Inauguration

Today as the nation celebrated the inauguration of President Obama, I saw people shouting praises, bowing to him, and raising their hands in celebration.

I've read many things on the Internet today - some people made statements dictating how we should support Obama now that he is president, whether or not we agree with him or voted for him. Others declare that we should pray for his failure.

There were many things I've thought about the whole situation and I've written about much of it on my blog. I've almost tired of writing about it all.

This morning as we prepared to watch the inauguration, I read a post describing how Obama had patterned his inaugural activities after that of President Abraham Lincoln. Despite claims to the contrary, I'm pretty sure the similarities ended with the swearing in on the same Bible. Certainly Lincoln and Obama had very different motives in seeking the presidency and certainly Lincoln would have been horrified at the amount of money spent on these events when our country's economy flounders.

So while Obama talked about change, my children and I huddled in the one "warm room" in our house - the only room with a fireplace - to watch the inauguration on a computer that kept freezing up because there were so many people trying to watch the webcasts. We don't have television so the computer was our only option. We finally turned off the computer and sat there reading books by the fireplace, trying to keep warm. Later, we ate scalloped potatoes (made from two $1.00 boxes) for lunch while Obama et al. dined on Maine lobsters, roasted duck, sumptuous desserts, and expensive wines. Change. If the expenditures this week are any indication, we will still be living frugally throughout the next four years while the politicians in Washington continue to spend extravagant amounts of taxpayer money to benefit the elite.

So am I upset by all this? Do I agree with the people who say we should support them or those who say it is Biblical to pray for his failure. Actually, today I've been thinking all day about a couple of verses from the Psalms. They pretty much say it all.

"Great is the LORD and most worthy of praise; his greatness no one can fathom" Psalm 145:3

"Praise the Lord, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples. For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever. Praise the Lord." Psalm 117

The Lord IS great and WORTHY of praise - from all nations and all peoples. God's kingdom will prevail as his faithfulness endures FOREVER. And his love toward us is great.

How fortunate we are to be blessed with such an awesome God!

How awesome IS our God!

Leaders have come and gone, but the faithfulness of the Lord endures forever!

Sonya Haskins
www.thehomeschooladvocate.com