An Inauguration Thought

Thanks to a brother who worked closely with the President in the White House, I have been privileged to attend a Presidential Inauguration. I endured the cold wind blowing down Pennsylvania Avenue, managed my way through the throngs of people attired in patriotic colors and listened to the newly elected President speak about a future he hopes to help create. Today, as I watched the Inauguration on television I was reminded again of what stirred my thoughts when on the Capitol grounds in D.C. not too many years ago: I am profoundly grateful to live in a nation that peacefully transitions power.

In contrast to way too many places in this world, we have music not massacres. We sing songs instead of shooting guns. We demonstrate civility not strife. Ours, while not a perfect process, is the best one I know of for governing a nation. I know I could live in a million different places but I am glad that by the grace of God I live in a country which, in the words of Speaker Nancy Pelosi this morning, chooses its leaders based upon ballots not bullets.

*Air and Simple Gifts – One of my favorite parts of today’s Presidential Inauguration. Performed by Yo-Yo Ma, Itzhak Perlman, Anthony McGill and Gabriela Montero. Music by John Williams.