Love That Goes Beyond Home

"The genius of our founders is that they designed a system of government that can be changed. And we should take heart, because we've changed this country before... Each of us, in our own lives, will have to accept responsibility - for instilling an ethic of achievement in our children, for adapting to a more competitive economy, for strengthening our communities, and sharing some measure of sacrifice. So let us begin. Let us begin this hard work together. Let us transform this nation." (Barack Obama)

It's been almost two years since then Illinois Senator Barack Obama announced that he will run for presidency of the United States. And the rest, as they say, is history...

On the morning of his inauguration, I woke up at 4:00 am. I wanted to absorb and savor every moment of such a blessed piece of history. I held my breath everytime he or any of his family members was in the public's view... I prayed with every step they took... I had to believe that God's legions of angels were, and always will be surrounding them all.

Everything during that day was surreal. My heart was singing, "This is the day which the Lord hath made!" (Psalm 118:24) I was bracing myself because any moment then, I knew that tears would just burst out of me. What a glorious day to rejoice and be glad with the whole world!

And then of course Edward snapped me back to earth with, "Mommy, Obama is the first brown president, huh?"

With a smile, I asked, "Brown?" (In my head, the question went on, "Don't you mean...")

"Well yeah," Edward interrupted my thoughts, "all the other ones are peach!"

I laughed so hard that the tears I've been holding finally burst right out. I said, "Yes, you're right, Edward," and I knew that I would always hold that day in my heart.

The first "brown" president...

The first president that I ever voted for...

The first politician on whom I actually put faith and trust, and ever really related to...

Perhaps it was his love and devotion to his family that drew me most to him. I share the same commitment: to take that love beyond home and pass along to the next generation, a world that is better and more beautiful than the world that was handed on to me.

As he wrote to his daughters: "I realized that my own life wouldn't count for much unless I was able to ensure that you had every opportunity for happiness and fulfillment in yours. In the end, girls, that's why I ran for President: because of what I want for you and for every child in this nation. I want all our children to go to schools worthy of their potential... I want us to push the boundaries of discovery... These are the things I want for you—to grow up in a world with no limits on your dreams and no achievements beyond your reach, and to grow into compassionate, committed women who will help build that world. And I want every child to have the same chances to learn and dream and grow and thrive that you girls have. That's why I've taken our family on this great adventure..."


If all our world leaders would think this way, imagine how wonderful the world could be!

The most empowering thing is that as parents, as teachers, as mentors to the youth, we have the ability to instill this philosophy, this set of values to the world leaders of tomorrow - our children.

So I say, YES! I will help transform this nation. I will help transform our world.

I will "think globally, and act locally," as I've always believed that change begins with me... with my home... with my community.


Thank You, Lord, for your gift of peace, of knowing that with Your grace and mercy, we can transform our world. Strengthen each family, that we may all take our "love beyond our home, into the world, so that we may do our part to build up Your kingdom." Amen.