We watched, weeping. 

Who would have thought a few years ago that we would witness having a black president in our lifetime let alone so soon?  What cannot God do?

A Bible truth, “All things work together for good to them that love God…” (Romans 8:28) is proven in that if Bush hadn’t been so abysmally awful, this could have never happened. 

I was also moved with the presence of God in the ceremony.  Millions both present and remote prayed together the Lord’s Prayer; this is a very powerful and unifying thing.  Even my diverse ecumenical friends (as well as atheists) felt spiritually included in the rhetoric, which borrowed not only from American values and Christian context, but was able  to be inclusive of all, without losing focus or purposeful meaning. 

It was a day brimming with hope and fortified with resolve.  Obama needed us all to get him there and he requires our commitment and prayers going forward.  It felt like democracy was reborn, kindled with words like humility and restraint, so unusual and refreshing when heard in a political context.

Somehow I understand why we needed a black president before a woman one.  There was more healing to be done on this front than the other. Now anything can happen. Though we still have a long way to go, it is so good to see the beginning.