Being BUUUUUUUUDS With The President
Mar
5
Written by:
3/5/2009 10:24 AM
One of today’s top headlines (online): President Obama’s Hair is Turning Gray.
He’s not that old. I say that because when I looked up his actual age, I found that he and I aren’t THAT far apart, and I know I’m not old. (At least that’s what I keep telling myself.) But all of the pundits are reporting that most likely he is turning gray quickly due to the incredible amount of stress he is facing in his current position. A position, I might add, that he’s had less than six weeks.
I also looked up why hair turns gray. Apparently, going gray is caused by wear and tear of hair follicles, which creates a massive a buildup of hydrogen peroxide that blocks the normal synthesis of melanin, which is the natural pigment of human hair, which bleaches the pigment from within, which turns hair gray. (Everyone got that?) I’ll stick with my Clairol products to fix that problem.
So why am I blogging about Obama’s gray coif? It’s not to make any sort of political statement, or to make light of the stress that the economy is putting on everyone. It’s because I was struck at the human-ness of someone that is arguably one of the most powerful people in the world. Along with reporting his increasingly salt and pepper hair color, the news also reported about the new swing set the Obama’s had set up for their children. Again, this is very average. Human. A lot like me. Just think—the person that may be at this very moment negotiating the possibility of an air base in Kyrgyzstan with President Bakiyev may also be guilty of sending an occasional email joke on government time/computers just as I have.
I like that.
I think it’s important to remember that the leaders of this world are human and have the same issues that we average, everyday people have. Like it says in Romans 3:23, “Everyone has sinned. No one measures up to God's glory.” So I guess that’s another thing I have in common with the President. Neither one of us is without sin.
But this is the cool part. We have another leader who experienced everything that we do as humans, yet is holy and perfect (unlike our presidents, kings, and governments.) Jesus was fully human. I am sure that he understands pressure. I don’t know if he ever had gray hair, but there’s no doubt that he experienced stress. I don’t have all the answers to the fully-human, fully-God thing. I don’t know whether Jesus felt stress personally or whether he experienced it through the stress felt by all those around him (yeah, just try to tell me that Peter wasn’t a stressed out individual!) Either way, he understands stress. And kids? I don’t know if they had swing sets back in the day, but Jesus certainly did like hanging out with kids or he wouldn’t have been ticked off at the disciples for trying to send the kids away! (See Mark 10:14 on that one.)
I like that my God understands what being “regular people” is all about. He’s experienced it first hand. I know that when something comes up, he and I can have a mutual conversation about it. Have you ever tried to talk to a friend or relative about something that happened at work, only to give you a blank stare because they really can’t understand what it is that you are talking about? They don’t have first hand experience. They can sympathize, but they don’t TRULY understand. It’s not like that with God. He’s BEEN there, DONE that! No matter what it is that I experience, HE understands! Sweet.
5 comment(s) so far...
Re: Being BUUUUUUUUDS With The President
So true!!!! It seems like we treat our leaders as either hero's or villians....we do elevate them to be God-like....really gives us something to think about!!!! Thanks - by the way..LOVE the title:)
By Mary on
3/6/2009 7:18 AM
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Re: Being BUUUUUUUUDS With The President
Thanks for the comment. I figured you'd appreciate the title more than anyone! I write what's on my brain at the time with hopes that it is meaningful to someone out there. Good to know there are people reading. :)
By kstone68 on
3/6/2009 8:00 AM
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Re: Being BUUUUUUUUDS With The President
Yep, we are all human and it is nice to know Jesus once was too!! It makes it a lot easier when talking with him and knowing he understands. I am very thankful for my frienship with Jesus and my friendship with my BUUUUUUUUUDS! (my peeps)
By tamwilljam on
3/6/2009 7:58 AM
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Re: Being BUUUUUUUUDS With The President
Nice blog...interesting perspective
By Hub on
3/26/2009 7:46 AM
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Re: Being BUUUUUUUUDS With The President
Nice post...
By HUB on
3/26/2009 7:46 AM
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