Hope, Change & Koolaid Gravy

It's official -- Barack Obama is officially the President of the United States. Apparently a fair number of my fellow Canadians believe he will do a smashing job as Commander in Chief. They may even be looking for a potential Obama-like leader among our own political players.

*crickets*

(Not that we don't have good leaders -- we do. They're just not rock stars. And I'm thankful for that.)

I know people on both sides of the political fence in the States -- those who are thrilled Obama is in and Bush is out and those who are not sure what an Obama presidency means and that Bush was a good leader. Many in the media and in Hollywood also hold to the former point of view, with a generous portion of BSD on the side. Or in the middle. It's hard to tell -- it's sort of like the gravy on your plate at Thanksgiving in that it seeps into everything.

Now I'm for allowing people to voice their dissenting opinions. And I'm not denying that former President Bush, like all of the men who held the office before him, has made mistakes. But I do hope and believe, really, he did the best he could under circumstances which would try the mettle of any man. I also hope the bashing of Bush will abate over time (though I'm not certain it will). In a way it amazes me how much hatred and spite and mockery has been heaped upon this man. Again, I'm not saying people are horrible for chuckling over gaffes here 'n there or, again, acknowledging mistakes and missteps. I am saying, however, it is not right or decent to treat an incumbent or outgoing president the way George W. Bush has so often been treated. It's sad, really.

But there is why it does not really surprise me, either:

Matthew 5:10-12 (The Message)

10"You're blessed when your commitment to God provokes persecution. The persecution drives you even deeper into God's kingdom.

11-12"Not only that—count yourselves blessed every time people put you down or throw you out or speak lies about you to discredit me. What it means is that the truth is too close for comfort and they are uncomfortable. You can be glad when that happens—give a cheer, even!—for though they don't like it, I do! And all heaven applauds. And know that you are in good company. My prophets and witnesses have always gotten into this kind of trouble.

God bless you, former President Bush. And God bless you, President Obama. May you both walk in His will for your lives.