| State Recognition Personal Reflections of Robert Soto Pastor and Vice-Chairman | |
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From: Words from the Creator March 22, 2009 WHAT WOULD OUR ANCESTORS THINK? Haggai 2:22 "I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother." One question I have been asking myself since the State of Texas passed the resolution to recognize us as a tribe is "What would our ancestors think if they could have joined us on that day?" The Texas government chose to bring our names back from the history books to present day reality. I wonder what our ancestors would have thought of us as we cheered and clapped for the decision? I'm not sure what they would have had on their minds, but I do know that as the resolution was voted on, our tribe came out of the history books and into the reality of life and everyday affairs. We we are no longer an annihilated nation. We are no longer an extinct tribe. We are no longer letters in the history books that remember us no more. Today we are a people who are not just recognized by the State of Texas, but a people who will now carry the heartbeat of our ancestors wherever we go. But a lot has been on my mind lately. Even though before the declaration we were a nation, and today we are still a nation, we are now a nation with status. A nation that has come back to life from the dead. A nation that will prayerfully not forget the one who forms or destroys a nation. Haggai, wrote, "I will overturn royal thrones and shatter the power of the foreign kingdoms. I will overthrow chariots and their drivers; horses and their riders will fall, each by the sword of his brother." Just as easily as He made us a nation, we must remember that He also has the power to humble us. For in the end, it is not the State nor the Federal Government that determines who we are, but the power of our living God. Thoughts from Robert Soto, Lipan Apache and pastor of: McAllen Grace Brethren Church The Native American New Life Center Chief of Chiefs Christian Church |