The 2008 Presidential Election has affirmed my belief that there are no accidents in life. Everything happens for a reason and God doesn’t make mistakes. At all times in life, we are at the exact place that we’re destined to be and when something is meant to be, it doesn’t matter what obstacles, trial or tribulations stand in our way because in the end, we will achieve the ultimate goal.

When I think about Hillary Clinton, her long fight and how far she was able to get in the Democratic Primaries, I know that although losing may have been devastating, she has fulfilled one aspect of her destiny and her legacy will inspire women for centuries to come. She now serves as proof to all women with political aspirations that regardless of gender, a worthy candidate who is able to connect and inspire people will be seen as viable for President of the United States.

Today, I am thankful for the role that now Secretary of State Clinton played during the primaries. The long hard battle between she and Obama enabled him to confront a lot of issues and concerns that may not have otherwise been addressed. As a result of Clinton’s determination to stay in the race, Obama was able to emerge as a stronger person and candidate. At the time I couldn’t see this but in retrospect, I understand that the negative attacks and veiled racism were all a part of the process.

In the end, who knows what impact the loss of the Oval Office may have had on Clinton but I can only hope that it has allowed all of us to take a step back and reflect on the reality that nothing in life is guaranteed. Clinton’s journey serves as an example that where we think we should be may not be what GOD has scripted for us. And the reality is, successes and failures are ultimately all a part of the process. For Clinton, the loss of the Presidency was not an end, but rather, a beginning as her strength of will granted her the opportunity to achieve what is arguably the second most powerful position in our political system, Secretary of State. Thus, when we recognize God’s will, there’s no such thing as failure. There are however roadblocks along the way and this fact is none more evident than when Clinton exited the stage and Senator John McCain arose to pose yet another challenge.

McCain is a person whom I believe has good intentions and up until this election, was regarded by both Republicans and Democrats as someone who works in a bipartisan manner to accomplish goals for the greater good. Unfortunately, as the world’s most powerful office beckoned him, McCain became so focused on winning that he fell short in standing up for what is right and fair. He allowed his want of office to dictate his actions and the negative tone of his campaing which changed him and ultimately cost him the election. But as demonstrated in last night’s concession speech, I feel that McCain is learning from his mistakes and is in the midst of his own process of success through failure. He is after all from Arizona, the land of the Phoenix.

The journies of Clinton and McCain have taught us that for Obama, these roadblocks were all a part of the process. Although he is continually met with adulation, he has not garnered the support of the entire American populous and as President, he will have to keep his campaigning spirit and find ways to bridge the gap and continually win over hearts and minds. He has a tough task and where he won’t be able convince everyone, I believe that by casting an overwhelming number of votes in his favor, we have taken a huge step towards progress and concilliation.

As much as we may fight and argue over the diversity of beliefs that exist in America, this election has taught us that we need each other in order to get our country back on track. As my soror Lillian P. Benbow stated,

“When I look at you I see myself. If my eyes are unable to see you as my sister it is because my own vision is blurred. And if that be so, then it is I who need YOU either because I do not understand who you are, my sister, obecause Ineed you to help me understand who I am.”

This is my shared belief and how I regard this election and America in its vast array of people from all walks of life. We were all put on this Earth by GOD and our lives will be forever interconnected in spite of desires for independent actions, lives and thoughts. In the end, it takes us coming together to initiate change and the only way we can achieve it is to recognize that we need one another to thrive.

In my reflection I recognize that I am continually amazed by how good GOD is, how unworthy we are, but how much HE still loves and continues to bless us despite our doubts in his power in the face of our shortcomings and failures. I was worried when the polls closed but HE knew the outcome. It was already written. HE knew how long it would take to achieve this result but yet we doubted. I am encouraged in my faith in GOD and HIS evident ability to deliver us time and time again. As the Marvin Sapp song states,

“Never would have made it, never could have made it, without HIM.”

So I pray that while we’re all in the spirit of celebration of this victory that we will also be in the spirit of praise and thanksgiving at this historic time in our history. Thank GOD for this moment. Thank HIM for this opportunity. Thank HIM for being so good. Thank HIM for having grace and mercy upon all of us. And remember that all things are possible even in the roughest times, with the odds against us, even when we almost let go ourselves, our GOD is faithful. HE will keep us! And we need to hold onto the belief that no matter how far down we get, no matter how much we feel like we can’t take life anymore…GOD holds us close so that we don’t let go, that we weather the storm and endure the process.