Peace

My friend Jean posted yesterday about the need to pray for our new president in the coming weeks, months...years. His will be an incredibly difficult job and frankly, even in good times, I don't know why anyone would want it. The thing that got me thinking was the concept of a 'peaceful transition'. Every four years we have all come to expect and accept the transition of power in this country. We really take for granted that we can be diametrically opposed to a politician but when the election is over...that's it. We acknowledge, we move on, we pray for our new leaders. No do-overs. You don't have to look far to see how incredibly rare that is. It's something about this country that I am truly proud of, and I think it's a good example to the world (and I don't say that very often folks).

And what about peaceful transitions in my own life? Those moments (days, months) where we are faced with changing circumstances, where our plans are thwarted, our dreams dashed, where disappointment seems to be the order of the day. Maybe if I dealt with Gods life transitions with as much acceptance as I do the changes in government, I'd be happier. Maybe I'd find my Joy if I didn't try to instigate a coup every time I was dissatisfied with the direction God was leading me.

My prayer for the coming year is wisdom for the President, safety for his family, selflessness for his advisers....and peace for us all.