Change

Tonight was a difficult night for me as a Republican. It was hard to watch not only a liberal president being elected, but also the house and senate being pushed further left. I do fear the next four years, but I want to reflect on something historic.

The majority of Americans just elected the first African American President. No matter the reasons he was elected, this is truly amazing. I do not have to agree with what he stands for, nor do I have to agree with why people made this decision, but the fact that our country has come far enough to look past the color of skin really is something we can find to be happy about.

As I watched Obama give his speech tonight, I realized that perhaps my children will grow up in a time that the majority of people do not judge on color of skin. We do have to agree with his politics, or be happy this has happened, but I do think we can hope this is a sign that racial tensions in our country are subsiding. I would have been proud to vote for the first African American President. I did not because I do not agree with what he stands for, but I would have loved to have been able to.

The reality is, God has chosen Obama to be President. It does not make sense to me at this moment, but all I know is that it is for our good. I will pray for him. I will pray God uses him to help our country. I will pray that he is not as far left as he says he is! I will pray that God uses this to bring many people of all different colors and cultures together.

I may not be happy he was elected, but I can be grateful that we do not live in a world where he was not allowed to be elected. There was a time a man like him could not even vote, yet alone be elected to the highest office in this country.

As I listened to my neighbors celebrate Obama's victory, my initial reaction was to be upset, but I realized that I should be happy for those African Americans who are most excited for this President. I may not agree with them, but I can with all sincerity, say that I am happy for what this means to them.

I sometimes forget that my own sister is a minority. I just think of her as my sister. Could we all one day be that color blind?

I am so grateful that Julia will grow up in a country where she has the same rights and opportunities as me. This has been a wonderful reminder of that!

There is a bright spot in this time of change and I will attempt to stay focused on that.