An honor and a challenge

I was puzzled, yet thrilled at the news that President Barak Obama was selected for the Nobel Peace Prize. Probably no one was more surprised than our President. After celebrating this surprising announcement with Carly, I began to think of the context in which this prize was given.

I certainly believe there were many more people who certainly were worthy of such an honor as the Nobel Prize and knew that many would criticize, belittle and judge the Nobel Prize Committee as short-sighted and perhaps being political. Although maybe one could argue that this could be true, I think this is a time not to question the committee or private rejoicing, but it is a time to rejoice for the world and for America.

Their reasons for selecting Barak Obama may elude us, but for now we need to view this as a means for rejoicing and a challenge to keep the course of peace and justice for all and accept the challenge as shared by Barak Obama when he spoke to our nation about his surprising win. He said, " This award -- and the call to action that comes with it -- does not belong simply to me or my administration; it belongs to all people around the world who have fought for justice and for peace. And most of all, it belongs to you, the men and women of America, who have dared to hope and have worked so hard to make our world a little better.

Thrilled yes! Challenged? Yes! So let us who follow the course of peace and justice. This, I believe is the message we need to hear today in light of the surprising and thrilling selection of President Barak Obama as the 2009 recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize. And so I babble on until next time.