Official portrait of President Barack Obama in the Oval Office, Dec. 6, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
The office of President of the United States commands respect but doesn’t often receive it, especially by Americans who like to exercise their freedom of speech. In light of my last post, I hope you’ll read this through the lens of love instead of criticism.
I don’t stand in agreement with all of the decisions our president has made (Who does?), but I do love him. As unpopular as it might make me with a large group of my more conservative friends, I voted for him.
I understand the checks and balances system America has adopted and grasp that we have three branches of power, not just one. We do not live in a dictatorship, but a democracy. As much as our system fails us, we chose it. As much as some Americans want to cast blame on one man for all of the poor decisions made on behalf of American citizens and how it effects the rest of the world, I’d refer them back to high school Government class and the other two branches of government we have. It is NOT just one man running our divided country.
I think the presidential race happening right now is a joke, but that’s not what this post is about. It’s about our POTUS. Like every other human being, he’s complex. It’s easy to see him as only a public figure, so I have to remind myself that his entire life has not and will not be lived in the spotlight. He’s a man.
US President Barack Obama dances with his wife and First Lady Michelle Obama during the Western Inaugural Ball on January 20, 2009 in Washington, DC. (Photo by Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images)
Devoted husband.
President Barack Obama and his daughters, Malia, left, and Sasha, watch on television as First Lady Michelle Obama takes the stage to deliver her speech at the Democratic National Convention, in the Treaty Room of the White House, Tuesday night, Sept. 4, 2012. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
Loving father.
“First and foremost, my Christian faith gives me a perspective and security that I don’t think I would have otherwise: That I am loved. That, at the end of the day, God is in control – and my main responsibility is to love God with all of my heart, soul, and mind, and to love my neighbor as myself. Now, I don’t always live up to that standard, but it is a standard I am always pursuing.
My faith is also a great source of comfort to me. I’ve said before that my faith has grown as president. This office tends to make a person pray more; and as President Lincoln once said, “I have been driven to my knees many times by the overwhelming conviction that I had no place else to go.”
Finally, I try to make sure that my faith informs how I live my life. As a husband, as a father, and as president, my faith helps me to keep my eyes on the prize and focus on what is good and truly important.”
Man of faith.
Because of the position he holds, he deserves respect. Because he is a fellow man, he deserves love – no matter how you voted or whether or not you like him. I don’t know much about Barak Obama, but as President of the United States I know he navigates a lot of issues I don’t have to, meets with people I don’t want to, and carries a lot of burdens on my behalf. I try to pray for him instead of publicly criticize and demonize him like so many of my Facebook friends do. Mine is not the popular opinion. That’s okay.
President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and their daughters, Sasha and Malia, sit for a family portrait in the Oval Office, Dec. 11, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza)
For a few other takes on the POTUS, visit:
Don at https://donhillson.wordpress.com/
Beckie at http://free2b2much.blogspot.com/
Tracy at https://countyroadchronicles.wordpress.com/
Sometimes I Write 