Understanding.

i am a white man. born in the south. taught racism at an early age.
i have no clue what it feels like to be treated differently, negatively, because of the color of my skin. no idea how it feels to be turned away from a place of business, or restaurant because of my skin. no idea how it feels to be labeled based on my skin.

we have freely elected a black man as president of the united states of America. history was made. millions saw it happen live, millions more watched it on tv. history.

i did not vote for this black man.

i do support him.

several months ago, California voted against gay marriage. the folks who pushed so hard for that to pass have been the most despicable in their actions. pickets, nasty attitudes, means spirited shouts of hatred towards those who were responsible for the measure passing. called un-American, homo-phobic, Nazi's elite Christians and out of touch people who desire to beat down the wants of another.

not a pretty picture.

now that we have a black man as president, a Democrat, many who did not vote for him have taken on that same spirit of meanness, hurling Christianise at those who have found hope in his leadership, seemingly in continuing prayer to hold off the very hand of God to stop the coming annihilation of freedom as we know it.

not a pretty picture.

i saw hope today in the eyes of old black men and women. people who in their life time, could not eat with white folks, use the same water fountain, use the same restroom, walk on the same side of the street, shop in the same store, go to the same school, enter by the same door. hope in the eyes of young people, both white and black, not to have to go through what they did, but see the dream of their ancestors while a black man was inaugurated president.

i hope he has great success.
whether he fails or not, he should have our support.

i hope my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ will not be the cause of division, but in awe of God pray for his leadership and the salvation of our country. may people look at us as followers of Christ, not anti Democrat, not anti gay, anti abortion, anti drinking...but pro love.

that is what Jesus would do.