It's time to elect a new president here in the U.S. and in Charlotte, last week there was a feeling in the air of "Let's do it again."
It reminded me of how we look to our pastors and elected officials as shepherds, someone who looks out for us; they protect us.
Last quarter our Sunday school lesson included a topic on how sheep need a shepherd; how sheep can be part of a herd for years, but if it happens to go astray, it will lose its way. The poor sheep won't know what to do.
Like sheep, Christians must stay in church under the leadership of a "good shepherd" – or shall we say a "good pastor." Otherwise, we're likely to go astray too, just like sheep; and when we elect a shepherd who cares more about profits than sheep. We all suffer.
Scriptures on this subject says, "I am the good shepherd. I know my own sheep, and they know me." John 10:14. The shepherd story reminds us to be under a pastor's guidance for our spiritual life. And we need leadership like a shepherd to help maneuver through our governmental affairs as well, otherwise the rich will keep getting richer and for the poor, things will get even worse.
Here is a snap shot of the convention, when I was first reminded of how we look to our president in a similar manner.
Speakers from all across America came to be a part of the flock of Democrats; they depend upon our president. It was a signal that millions of people are saying "Let's Do It Again!" Re-elect President Barack Obama.
As everyone walked out of Time Warner Arena in Charlotte each day, inevitably someone walking beside me would strike up a conversation about how much work there is to be done over the next 60 days to re-elect our shepherd and say, "I'm going to do my part to get the president re-elected."
It was a united bunch of friendly Democrats from all across the nation; fellow sheep. A very nice Alaskan female delegate sat with me during lunch. She told tales of Alaska, she made her own Alaskan campaign button; she had animal fur stitched on one of her bags; she came to help get the president re-elected.
The speakers were all fantastic, you probably saw them. Bishop Vashti McKenzie opened the convention with prayer of grace and thanksgiving – she gave the invocation. And the North Carolina governor pledged her support as she welcomed us to the Tar Heel State. It was wonderful to have so many leaders from the battleground states pledging their support, especially in my home state.
The Latino community was represented throughout the convention; Congressional Hispanic Caucus actors and actresses all in key roles, one speaker-after-another.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid from Searchlight, Nevada gave a really enlightening speech. He said, "I've watched the Tea Party take over the Republican Party."
And wasn't it great to see Nancy Pelosi and the Democratic women of the House, and the women of the Senate as well – they all stood with President Obama.
And it never dawned on me to check out who Lilly Ledbetter was. I had not heard her story and none of my group had heard it either. Tammy Duckworth, had both legs amputated while on active duty as an Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot.
Now can you see how the pastor and the president have similar roles; they look out for us! Now, let us all be sure to vote. And in the words of the song by The Staple Singers, Let's do it again!
No better quote to close this column with than the one by Dr. Calvin W. Rolark who said, "If it is to be, it's up to me."
Lyndia Grant is a radio show host living in the DMV, contact her by calling 202 518 3192; send emails to This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .