Do not seek to satisfy your thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred! (King)

In 2009, while I laid in bed watching the inauguration of the first African-American president of the USA, it struck me that he was only three years older than I, and his wife and I was born in the same year.

President Barack Obama inauguration – 2009. Image source: (Wikipedia.org)

Yet, Mr. Obama had achieved the pinnacle of his career while there I was languishing in bed with my head filled with only dreams and illusions with no significant accomplishments that could impact the world.

We were worlds apart yet both of us were of the same race, and we both have the benefit of obtaining a good education to pursue our dreams.

22-CityView presents Barack Obama speaking at the Cambridge Public Library. Recorded on September 20,1995. He read from his book “”Dreams from My Father: A Story of Race and Inheritance,” YouTube

Obama’s intelligence, his will and determination and his willingness to work hard allowed him to fulfill his dreams.

It, therefore, meant that anyone regardless of their complexion has the potential of becoming successful in whatever they want to do in life. God has given all of us the ability, and we only need to use it wisely and honestly.

Barack and Michelle. Image source – Boston.com

Obama made better use of the gifts that God had placed in his hands while I did not. That was my wake-up call!

So, I encourage every person who has been deprived or disadvantaged in the past, don’t settle for a low or demeaning position get up and learn from your past and present leaders who have attained greatness.

The first black family in the white house.

Why is the resident of the US President called a White House? Does the name refer to the color of the house or the intended occupants of it? (Read a short history of the origin of its name)

Regardless, history has changed because the first black family moved in 2009.

The Obama family in the White House. Image source: Starchanges.com

They served for eight years, and I am proud of them. They are not perfect because no humans are perfect, but they have done a tremendous job both in their conduct and service to the USA.

I am not a US citizen but I am proud to have Mr. Obama as my president, and I will make no apology for it.

I am a Christian, and some of the laws that were passed under his regime are against the principles of God.

The Obama family. Image source:

But, my focus right now is not on his religious or political views it is about his good characteristics and intelligence. These are the qualities that the black race must rise up to emulate.

Barak Obama was born on August 4, 1961, in Honolulu, Hawaii. In 1988 Obama enrolled in Harvard Law School, where he was the first black president of the Harvard Law Review.

Source: Quotatiospictures.com

Obama became the first black president of USA from January 20, 2009, to January 20, 2017.

Barack’s election to the highest office in America realized Martin Luther’s dream that black people can accomplish their goals base on their intellect and not be judged by their skin color.

Read more about Obama’s legacy from his official website and at wikipedia.org.

Michelle Obama – FLOTUS, who turned 53, January 17, 2017. Source: ET

Mr. Obama married his beautiful wife Michelle LaVaughn Robinson in 1992. She was born in the south side of Chicago January 17, 1964. She is a lawyer and writer.

They have two daughters Malia and Sasha.

US President Barack Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama walk with daughters Malia (L) and Sasha (2nd R) across Lafayette Park to Saint John’s Episcopal Chuch for Sunday services on October 27, 2013 in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/Mandel NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images) (Huffington Post)

The presidential campaign was Michelle’s first exposure to the national political scene.

Although she was a bit uncomfortable with her husband growing political career, she made an agreement with her husband that she would support his decision to run for president if he would quit smoking. (Wikipedia.org).

Barack and Michelle Obama Campaign for the Presidency in Springfield, Illinois: Source: Michellepictures.com

Eventually, her support became full-time involvement in his political campaign and had even attended thirty-three events in eight days.

By the beginning of 2011 of the second re-election, Michelle had become extremely popular that she was rated as the most popular political figure in America by the Obamas senior campaign official.

FILE – In this April 9, 2009 file photo, first lady Michelle Obama plants herbs in the White House Kitchen Garden with students from Bancroft Elementary School in Washington, on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington.  (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File). Source: Dailymail.com.

As a first lady, she was an advocate for proper nutrition in public school, health and fitness, women’s rights, upliftment of military families and helping working women balance career and children. She also promoted arts and art education.

President Obama wrote an article on the Huffington post entitled “How the Presidency Made Me a Better Father“. He ensured that he sacrificed time to be with his family.

US Senator Barack Obama and his daughters (left) Malia, 8, and Sasha, 5, clean the dishes after breakfast at their home in Hyde Park – a suburb of Chicago, IL. The girls were getting ready to go to school. Image source: Huffington Post

Obama stated that it does not matter how busy he was in the oval offuce, at 6:30 he left work to have dinner with his family.

“But to our surprise, moving to the White House was really the first time since the girls were born that we’ve been able to gather as a family almost every night.”‘ President Obama wrote in his article at the Huffington Post.

President Barack Obama and his daughters Sasha and Malia watch the World Cup soccer game between the U.S. and Japan, from the Treaty Room office in the residence of the White House, Sunday, July 17, 2011. (Official White House Photo by Pete Souza). BarackObama.com

He believed that his family sustained him during his tenure in the White House.

References: BarackObama.com; The NewYorkTimes; MichelleObamaquotes; HuffingtonPost; Wikipedia.org

Stay in touch for the next post which will examine the lessons learned from our great leaders.

Feel free to write about other unsung heroes that have motivated you.

Published by Beverley

Beverley has been serving the Lord since she was a child. At an early age, she recognized that God had a special plan for her life, but it was not until in her adulthood that she surrendered her total life to God and accepted the mandate that God placed on her life. The Lord called her into His Kingdom to be an encourager, intercessor, teacher, scribe, priest, and to proclaim the Word of God. Since then, Beverly has established a blog to teach us to become the oil and wine. The oil and wine are purified and mature products, which is the advanced level that the Lord expected of us. In 2017, Beverley published her first book, Harm Not The Oil And Wine. In it, she described her trials and how God helped her to overcome them, and to live more victoriously. The book also exposed the enemy of our souls with detailed information about his past defeats and future extinction. Wright spents most of her time studying the Bible to know the truth of God’s Word. She believes that only God’s truth can expose the deception of the enemy, and uproot and tear down spiritual strongholds. You can learn more about Beverley’s life and testimony on her website becomingtheoilandwine.com. You can also find her on Facebook and Google+ under the name of her blog, and on Twitter as @Theoilandwine. View all posts by Beverley