Reaching across the world

There has been a lot of talk lately about president Obama visiting foreign countries. He’s taken a lot of criticism for bowing to the Saudi King and being nice to Hugo Chavez. People are saying that he’s running around the world apologizing for America and making us weak.

I’m torn on this. I believe our president should always show strength, but how will relations with other countries change if someone doesn’t offer a hand in friendship first?

Some believe we shouldn’t talk to people like Chavez because he’s a human rights violator and avid hater of America. He should come to us and apologize for hating us first. It’s the old “I’m not saying I’m sorry until he does first” mentality we had in grade school. It’s ridiculous and we need to change our mindset and think about making friends with someone like him, then maybe we could help change the way he treats his own people. It’s basic psychology: if you tell someone who hates you not to do something, they’ll do it to spite you. But if tell a friend, they’ll listen.

So I’m watching our new president with interest, trying to give him some leeway to see what he’s going to do with his turn in office. I like that he’s trying to talk to people who hate us. It’s the only way we have a chance to change how they see us.

For now I say go ahead and reach out Mr. President. Extend a hand of friendship, cautiously. Open doors that have been shut because of hard-headed Americans who think they don’t have to answer to anyone. The world is growing smaller, so we’d better get used to playing nice with others before we’re completely surrounded by countries who hate us.

“God, please give our president wisdom. Strengthen his relationship with you so that he will always turn to you first, and lead our country with a spiritual heart. Amen.”