O God of Freedom,
In December 1776, Thomas Paine wrote about the fledging American enterprise and encouraged our founding fathers and mothers with these words, he said: “The harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly; it is dearness only that gives everything its value...”
Our founders fought for us to have the right of self-governance, to have a democracy, a system that is inherently filled with conflict. The work of a democratic government is not easy, the battle of ideologies and beliefs verses practical needs and realities are reflected in budgets and bills and can often be daunting and difficult.
But it is through the back and forth of discussions and committee work, negotiations and compromises, that success will finally come. Each of us working to serve the common good, while staying true to our personal values and beliefs.
May it be the will of our Creator, to give us strength and fortitude to perform the tasks at hand, and to remind us that even the most mundane work of government was dearly fought for, and that the work we do, on behalf of our fellow Californians, is sacred work.
May this be God’s will.--AMEN.
