Confessions of man who was silent...

Silence cripples. Great ideas that remain locked away in the silence are nothing. Even more so being silent when momentous events occur is like a fruit that is not picked at the right moment. If you leave it on the vine too long it is good for nothing.

I am so glad Barack Obama won. It is a great day for the United States of America.

I am a Jonny come lately on this one. Up to the day of the election I was talking out of both sides of my mouth. I'd say, "Obama represents change, Obama represents hope." Then I'd say, "His stand on abortion is troubling, He lacks experience." Like the weather vane I would spin where the wind was blowing. When tallking with folks I'd pick the other side of the argument. When all along I really wanted him to win. Being captive to the opinions of others eventually robs you of your voice.

I'm in the States visting churches and individuals who support our ministry in France and I was afraid. On top of that my apathy and indecision meant I didn't vote...

So the three people who read this blog may be asking themselves, "Why now?" I did it because I read my good friend Todd Burkes blog entry and realized I could no longer be silent. Here's a part of it

If you are, say, an Evangelical Christian who believes that Barack Obama is going to turn America into a godless land of homosexuality and abortion ...

If you are still wondering whether he is a secret racist waiting to unveil a slew of anti-white legislation ...

Or even if you just simply prefered the John McCain / Sarah Palin ticket ...

I wish you had been here with me last night.

You would have witnessed something that is hard for me to explain in words. But if you had seen it, you might have gotten just a little taste of why the election of Obama just might be something good for your country afterall.

Please read all of his post...

Just knowing what Todd has lived through gives me hope. We do not know what tomorrow will bring but we do know that our world can change for the better.

Comments

[jillali-13]

slt tu vabienn

[Becca Bryan]

I suppose I am another of the three readers. I also voted Obama, Heidi.I admire his intelligence. I too have felt the backlash- especially living in the buckle of the bible belt, Dallas. My husband, a pastor of a very tiny church if discontents, got ripped a new one by the elder board for MY voting BO. Crazy. Matt, I enjoy your blog and am glad you are out there! God bless your family and Joyeux Noel! Nous pensons a la France souvent!

[Heidi Renee]

As one of the three readers of my blog you know I was whole heartedly for BO - but am so amazed at how much anger there is toward me and him by folks I truly love. Those who still live in that bubble that feeds only itself are furious and vicious and have distanced themselves from me, even calling my own patriotism into account because I live abroad. My own sister and brother in law are distant and pouty and snide with their comments.

I look forward to reading this post. Karen Thrall-Padgett was in Chicago that night and she's still tingly from being there. I just keep telling people that I have a deep belief that he will live his life in such a way that they will one day see what I have seen all along. We had the opportunity of seeing him in Bangor last winter and I told my kids that they were making history and seeing the next president of the United States. I'm so glad I was able to share that with them.