Many years ago, when I was still in high school, my adopted African brother
experienced his first U. S. presidential election.
My brother had so many questions. He
asked, “So what happens now?” I explained that there would be a ceremony and
after that the current president would step down and the new man would assume
power.
He was astounded and continued his questions, “What? Will one man just walk
out of the White House and another just walk in? No fighting? No guns? How can
that be?”
I assured him that was exactly what was going to happen.
In his short life at that point, he had never experienced what we often
take for granted—the peaceful transfer of power. He had seen transfers of power
in his country but with them had come assignations, armed soldiers in trucks
sometimes shooting randomly in the streets, a military coup d’état, and even a civil
war; but never in his life had he witnessed one person just stepping down and
another assuming power.
Having seen life through my brother’s eyes during that conversation so many
years ago, I have never taken our peaceful transfer of power for granted since.
Today as I watched the inauguration, it is my hope that regardless of a person's
political views, all Americans will realize what a treasure we have in this
country we are blessed to call ours.
"If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live
at peace with everyone." Romans 12:18 (NIV)
