The Hope For Peace

Yesterday I had the luxury of a day off from work. I say luxury because it is an option that many people do not have. While doing this and that, I was able to take in much of the inaugural coverage on TV. It was certainly a grand event. There were a lot of memorable moments, and several were quite moving. I was particularly touched by the relationship between the President and Mrs. Bush and President and First Lady Obama that has no doubt been established during the transitional period since the election.


That America's transfer of power between the outgoing and incoming presidents is marked by peace is well-known, but there was something pretty special about the apparent good rapport between these four people. There were smiles and laughter between all on the walk toward Marine One. There were sincere embraces all the way around, and as President Bush paused before stepping into the interior to make one last wave, I could see that he was overcome with emotion.


I hope history is kind to this man and his family. I have stated before on this blog that most people on the planet, myself included do not have a clue about the amount of stress it takes to hold up as president in a wartime environment, and hold a nation together when others are trying to tear it apart, especially when for two years the president is opposed by a house and senate controlled by politicians from an opposing party. That President Bush was able to do this was no small feat. He helped introduce legislation in 2005 that might have made considerable difference in our nation's current financial situation, if he had had the cooperation of the house and senate, but they had an agenda of their own. One thing that seems to be overlooked about him is that he did more for people in Africa and to combat the spread of AIDS there than any leader I can think of who doesn't live there. But then President Bush never really seemed to have a fat head. He spoke about the positive side of programs he endorsed, but he had a sense of humor about himself and he never blew his own horn.


Genuine. That is the word that keeps returning to my mind about President Bush. When he said something, you just knew that he meant what he said and that he would do whatever he could to deliver. I'm not naive. I know that probably every president says things for the purpose of political expediency, but I believe that this man was a grownup. He had to have heard all of the rhetoric from people who constantly insulted his intelligence, and called him dis compassionate and uncaring. I believe the opposite is true, and I think that will be revealed in time.


Now, he has been succeeded, and the presence of mind that President Obama and the First Lady showed by their courtesy to President and Mrs. Bush, waiting until they were out of the line of sight before they turned and walked away up the steps was very telling and respectful.


I don't know what sort of honeymoon President Obama will have now that he has taken the oath of office. He is awfully young, and the temptation to have a tendency to act decisively can be very compelling when further thought is needed. I appeal to all who read this to pray for wisdom and restraint for our new president. Internationally, there is under his direction, our nation's collective treatment of the Nation of Israel, and at present domestically, he seems poised to press forward with an economic stimulus program that could surpass one trillion taxpayer dollars before all is said and done. On top of all of that, we are in the middle of a war being fought on several fronts. These things will either meet with success or reap dire consequences for the people of this nation. Pray that ultimately this man will make the kind of decisions in the future that will help this nation to glorify God.