Shinning

Well, I finished 1776, an absolutely great read. Not because it's an untold story, one we don't know. But maybe because it is an untold story. We celebrated the 4th recently with our grand celebrations. It's become more about having a day off and gazing at the pretty sky at night with our oohs and ahs with little mention or recollection of why we celebrate. Kind of like Christmas. Even the local editorial page featured those writing to complain that the local mega-church prayed for fair weather so their event would not be ruined. "They should be praying for rain in our drought ridden area," they bemoaned. Ironically I read this while it was pouring rain here in the four-states.

We have grown complacent and taken our heritage for granted. We have grown soft, feeling entitled with no sense of the hardship others endured on our behalf, complainers that we are. I feel guilty. I feel motivated, inspired to rise above the fray and to become what they fought for me to become. It makes me want to rise to the occasion and do great things.

It is unfathomable what they suffered. As McCollough said it was not short of a miracle that they pulled it off given the circumstances of the times. I fear we need another miracle. Not to overcome our current physical conflicts around the world but to overcome this spirit of sloth, self-delusion and contention we find ourselves encumbered with. Abigale Adams quoting poet Edward Young wrote, "Affliction is the good man's shinning time." It's time for all good men to shine.