This post may contain affiliate links. Read my disclosure policy here.
It is the question everyone is asking…
“What does the Inauguration mean to you?”
And probably for every passionate reply about hope and change, there is a disinterested shrug or a cynical retort.
But we like to focus on the positive here.
While our political views may range even among the editors and writers here at 5 Minutes for Mom, (and I can only imagine how varied the views must be within our readership!) I am sure that we all hope the United States can move forward, unified and with hope for a more peaceful and prosperous future.
“Will he take away all the guns…”
Tonight, I said to Jackson, “Tomorrow, Barack Obama will become the 44th President of the United States.”
My seven-year-old son looked up at me, and said with his voice cracking, “Will he take away all the guns — not the ones for decoration, but the ones for killing?”
“Oh, sweetie,” I didn’t know what to say, “He can’t do that.”
Everyone has different issues they wish an administration could fix.
Some may be reasonable, attainable goals that can be achieved through political means.
And some may be as unrealistic as a seven year old’s dream that there would be no weapons available for criminals to kill innocent people, or for distraught and angry youth to gun down children and teachers at school.
Family Life…
A site called Change in Command recently asked me to write about how the Inauguration might impact family life.
I was honored to add my voice to the incredible panel writing on a vast array of issues such as foreign policy, the environment, religion, and more, and to
share my thoughts on the impact of Obama’s Presidency on family life.
Here is an excerpt from my post on Family at Change In Command:
“…Family life is bigger than an administration. It is shaped over generations and varies from country to country, city to city, and house to house.
But Barack Obama represents perseverance, determination and hope. He is a symbol of realizing the impossible.
Regardless of political opinions, we can look at his humble beginnings and see the sacrifices and commitment of family. He triumphed and changed the world because of family members coming together to raise a child.
Right now, families all over the world are dealing with the consequences of war and economic crisis. There are no quick and painless solutions to the challenges the new administration meets.
But there is hope. And we can bring that hope into our homes. We can teach our children that the world is changing. What was unimaginable just a few decades ago has happened…”
–Please click over to Change in Command to read my full post and leave your thoughts.
You can view all the issues at http://changeincommand.com/issues.
And they have now opened up a new version of the site Change In Command asking readers to answer the question, “What does this inauguration mean to you?” So you can click over and add your point of view to the growing discussion.
What are YOU writing?
What does this Inauguration mean to you?
What are your thoughts as you watch the change in command of the United States?
If you are blogging about the Inauguration, make sure you LINK UP here.
Also, don’t miss the chance to read what other bloggers are writing about their perspective on this historical day. Click here to get to the links.
And, of course, please share with us here in the comments your thoughts about the days ahead with the Obama administration.
(Please keep your comments respectful. We reserve the right to remove offensive comments.)
God Bless!
Written by 5 Minutes for Mom Co-Founder Janice Croze
Have you subscribed to our 5 Minutes for Mom RSS Feed and our
Giveaways RSS Feed?
Are you on Twitter? Follow us and let’s tweet.
Faerylandmom says
I am a mixture of hope and cynicism here. I watched the inauguration, listening carefully to Obama’s hopes for change. I was refreshed by his honesty about the “gathering clouds” and “raging storms” we will obviously have to weather as a country before things can get better.
I hope it was a wake-up call to people to get their own acts together, rather than expecting the government to fix everything.
I do worry greatly about his promise to Planned Parenthood to sign the National Freedom of Choice Act, which would remove ALL restrictions in ALL states on ALL abortions. That scares me, frankly. And not just for the babies whose lives will be lost, but for the women and their families who will be greatly impacted.
As much as I agree with personal freedom (even God Himself grants that), I don’t think people really understand the natural consequences that invariably extend from this “right to choose.”
Ultimately, though, I am so glad that an African-American man is our President. To that, I say “It’s about frickin’ TIME!” It should not have taken so long in this country.
My prayer and hope is that President Obama will turn to the Savior he professes to serve, and listen to the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit. What that means for him, I’m not exactly sure…I just have a deep hope and desire to see this man be everything his supporters hope him to be in optimism, passion, integrity, and leadership.
I am praying for this man. And his family. He is on a lofty pedestal – and could topple so easily without prayer support. So, I’ll be lifting him up to the One who made him as often as I can.
Megan says
I love the diversity in these comments. It speaks to what our country is all about. I loved what Senator Feinstien said as she opened the ceremonies today…
“The freedom of a people to choose its leaders is the root of liberty. In a world where political strife is too often settled with violence, we come here every four years to bestow the power of the presidency upon our democratically elected leader. Those who doubt the supremacy of the ballot over the bullet can never diminish the power engendered by nonviolent struggles for justice and equality, like the one that made this day possible.”
No matter who you voted for, the point is that you voted.
It’s the dawning of a new day and I do pray for our future!
Amanda says
I am so impressed with how thoughtful these comments above mine are. I really enjoyed reading them.
Though I did not vote for Obama, I have to say that I am really encouraged by how excited people are by his election. I think there are a lot of problems in our society today that we need people (not government) to fix; my hope is that this enthusiasm for this President will translate to greater involvement and less cynicism on an individual level.
I am NOT suggesting that ALL people who voted for Obama were cynical or uninvolved in our society and community, merely that the historic nature of this Presidency, and the enthusiasm that Obama himself generates, will hopefully quell some of the abdication of responsibility and the growing cynicism that had become “cool” in many circles.
Robin says
I for one voted for Obama and really hope he can change around this economy. I know it will take a while, I mean he has to clean up 8 years of Bush’s mistakes so it won’t happen overnight, but I really believe that in time it will get better.
As for abortions, I don’t support abortions but I do support free choice. If we allow the government to step in and start making choices for us when will the control stop and our freedoms slip completely away?
Elizabeth M. says
Thanks for creating a central spot for us to voice our thoughts and opinions. I love that today is a day where we can see our rights and freedoms in action and their results. 🙂
Elizabeth says
This represents hope for our nation, for the children in our public schools who struggle too much (though I am grateful to be in a state that grants me 100% freedom to homeschool any way I want!), hope for the world, for those of us in need of healthcare, and so on.
I wanted to say to comment #4 and anyone who believes Obama is in support of abortion that he isn’t in support of abortion himself but he believes in people’s rights to choose for themselves. We live in a nation that has built itself on this idea itself and although I believe abortion needs more control (I believe there are circumstances that it must be used, before a certain period of time due to religious beliefs), I also have to acknowledge this and be fair with our new President.
Janice says
Thank you ladies for sharing your thoughts!
As a Canadian, it is fascinating to watch what happens to you our neighbours.
We recognize that no administration is perfect and none can please everyone.
We are offering our prayers for your country and for all of us as this administration moves forward.
The Happy Housewife says
While I respect the Office of the President, I disagree with almost everything President Obama stands for. This does not mean I will bash him or those around him, I will just spend the next four years working towards a different type of change.
Toni
Michelle says
I am so happy today! Obama means hope to me. The last eight years have been horrible for our country and our standing in the world. I believe he will bring only positive actions to our country.
Tiffany says
Ohhh what your son said made me cry. I posted about it and linked to your post and main blog. Thanks for the great blog.
Upstatemomof3 says
I voted for Obama. Health care was a huge issue for me this time around. With McCain’s health care plan my family would have been in real trouble. Howeve, I agree with Sharon (comment #1) and Jacquie (comment #3). I am scared about what it means to have a President who does not value the life of the unborn. I, too, am praying that his heart be opened to those little babies who need him to fight for them.
Jacquie says
I am probably on the same page as Sharon (comment #1) – even though I am Canadian, I care about our neighbors to the south greatly, and it pains me to consider the possible implications of Obama’s presidency to the lives of millions of unborn babies, not just in America, but in nations across the earth.
At the same time, I believe strongly in the power and importance of prayer, especially for the leaders of the earth, and on this inaugration, I am reminded again of my responsibility to cover Obama and his cabinet in prayer, asking God to direct their decisions with godly wisdom and to reveal to them His heart for babies, from conception to birth.
Jennifer, Snapshot says
I didn’t vote for Obama, and I’m not sure that all of his big ideas are viable, BUT I am proud as an American that we could elect an African American president. It’s a representation of all these years of struggle for equality.
That said — George W. Bush did have many African Americans in prominent positions on his cabinet, so his administration (as well as those before his) also upheld this dream of equal-rights for all.
Sharon says
I wish I had the same hope that you do.
I’m still determining what this inauguration means to me.
I am one who is sad to see the end of Bush. I know he was not perfect, but he definitely holds more true to my beliefs on human life than Obama does.
The immediate changes Obama plans to make scares me and saddens me. For that, I am not looking forward to his stepping in.