Barbara's Banter

The roots for our fear of rejection start with childhood experiences. They can stem from something deplorable such as parents constantly belittling their children or perhaps from what some might consider minor such as being chosen last when captains pick teams in the school yard.  (Those who consider it minor have obviously never been chosen last for anything.)

Eventually we feel like failures when we are turned down for dates, don’t get asked to dance, don’t get into the college of our choice, don’t get the job we want, don’t place in the contest, don’t receive the promotion, don’t win the election, or a loved one leaves us for another. Most of us writers have more rejection slips than pay stubs for manuscripts we’ve submitted to editors.

If we let it, rejection will sap our courage, immobilize us and keep us from pursuing our dreams. Fear of rejection can cause us to focus more on the approval of others than doing what is right, giving manipulative people the power to control us. Sadly this fear of rejection can become a motivating factor in daily decisions. Building walls of protection around ourselves, we  determine not to get hurt again. Most spend their lives trying to avoid rejection rather than learning to deal with it.

Unfortunately there are no courses on “How to Bounce Back 101” so we travel life’s highway feeling unwanted and unloved. Rejection’s influence feeds into the lies Satan would have us believe like: we are alone, we aren’t good enough, no one cares, and God has forsaken us.

The Bible is full of stories of rejection. Joseph was rejected by his brothers (Genesis 37). Moses was rejected by those he put himself in jeopardy to help (Exodus 2:14). God was rejected by the Israelites who wanted a physical king like other nations (1 Samuel 10:19). David was rejected by King Saul although he was Saul’s loyal servant (1 Samuel 18:7-11). Paul was rejected, stoned and left for dead by those to whom he preached (Acts 14:19-20). John Mark was rejected by Paul (Acts 15:36-41).

No one is immune from rejection – not even Jesus Christ. Jesus was rejected by those in his hometown (Matthew 13:54-58), by many of his disciples (John 6:60), and by those he came to save (Isaiah 53:3). He was the cornerstone of salvation and was rejected (Matthew 21:42).

Perhaps this is why in God’s plan of salvation everyone is accepted (Acts 10:34). No one is unloved or unwanted. God loved us from the beginning. While we were sinners he died for us (Romans 5:6-11). So God wants us and loves us just the way we are. Of course, we might want to make a few changes but not so we can earn God’s love because we already have that. God does not want anyone to feel inferior. We are automatically part of the in-crowd, on the team, chosen, winners, and loved.

God sees us as beautiful and worthy of his attention.  And it’s his opinion that really counts – not the opinion of others or even our own opinion of ourselves. God asks us to dance and all we have to say is, “Yes!” That’s the catch, you see. We have the power to reject God. We are the ones who must say, “Yes!” He will not force himself upon us.

God’s invitation to us is always there, but we must say, “Yes!” And if we do, we will never have to feel alone or rejected again (Hebrews 13:5).

Humans are not perfect.  Since Christians are human, they are not perfect either.  Christians are just as flawed as the rest of the world.  Unfortunately Christians live in a sort of goldfish bowl as others watch them, scrutinize them with an imaginary magnifying glass, and require them to live sin free lives.  As hard as Christians may try, they will frequently fall short of the high expectations non-Christians place on them.  

Christ has high expectations for those who profess to follow him, too.  However, he doesn’t love them any less when they slip and fail to do what is right.  Christ died for all our sins:  past, present and future.  Some say, “If that’s true, why bother to live the Christian life at all.  Just do what you want and God will forgive you.”   This thinking is a little short sighted. 

First, although Jesus died for our sins, it doesn’t absolve us from the ill effects connected to sin.  God doesn’t have to zap us if we sin because sin carries its own cause and effect.  It’s the “what you sow you shall reap principle” or “what goes around comes around.” 

Secondly, true Christians are sincerely trying not to sin because they appreciate the sacrifice Jesus made for them.  They are new creations.  (2 Corinthians 5:17)  They strive to live a godly life out of love for the one who makes salvation possible, not out of fear of what will happen to them if they don’t. 

With that said, we must still realize Christians are humans and therefore flawed.  Believe it or not sometimes they might lie, be deceived, get drunk, commit adultery,  be jealous, not get along, run away, hide, scheme, gossip, deny Christ, doubt, fret, and even murder.   

Just look at these examples… 

• Eve allowed herself to be deceived.
• Abraham lied and said his wife Sarah was his sister.
• Paul couldn’t get along with John Mark.
• Solomon let his wives lead him astray. 
• David committed adultery with Bathsheba.
• Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery.
• Saul was jealous of David. 
• Elijah was afraid of Jezebel and ran away. 
• Ruth was a pagan.
• Moses was a murderer. 
• Rahab was a harlot. 
• Jacob was a schemer.   
• James and John were called the “sons of thunder.” 
• Samson was weak in the ways of women.   
• Peter denied Christ.
• Jonah ran from God.
• Miriam was a gossip.
• Thomas doubted.  
• Noah got drunk.
• Martha fretted.  

Just because some of our biblical ancestors had some shady actions doesn’t give us license to conduct ourselves in the same manner.  The Bible is full of examples for us to learn from – some good and some not so good.  (1 Corinthians 10:11)   However, it does reinforce that people, even Christians make mistakes and sometimes they are pretty big mistakes.   

Personally I’m glad the Bible contains stories of these flawed individuals who loved God.  After all, it isn’t the person who should be put under a magnifying glass, but God’s grace.  Fortunately for all of us, God’s grace covers a multitude of sin.     

Jesus tells us in John 10:10 that he came so we might have life and have it more abundantly. What is this more abundant life Jesus spoke of?  Is it having robust health?  Is it materialism and wealth?  Is it success, power, and prestige?  After all, aren’t these the things most people yearn for and naturally associate with an “abundant life?”  Well, that may be our interpretation of a more abundant life, but our view and God’s view could be vastly different. (Isaiah 55:9)

Many think the more abundant life spoken of in John 10:10 pertains to great prosperity physically, mentally, spiritually, and materially.  Some “health and wealth” or “name it and claim it” gospels want us to come boldly before God and demand the abundance he has promised us.  Faith is measured by how much God blesses us materially.  But do new cars, million dollar homes, plasma TVs, diamonds, rubies, private air planes or bags of money really draw us closer to God? 

God is not the big “sugar daddy” in the sky ready to give us everything we want.  We may prayerfully sing, “Oh Lord won’t you buy me a Mercedes Benz?” and we might get it, but that doesn’t mean God gave it to us.  And it definitely has nothing to do with the more abundant life Jesus refers to in John 10:10.

Most know the primary focus of the Christian life should not be on getting things. That doesn’t necessarily mean God wants us to be poverty stricken, although Proverbs tells us, “Better is a dinner of herbs where love is, than a stalled ox and hatred therewith.” (Proverbs 15:15–17)  It would be difficult to find scriptures that focus on Christians “getting” instead of “giving.”  The Bible leans more towards contentment than wanting more, more, more. (1 Timothy 6:8, 9; Philippians 4:11-13; Hebrews 13:5)

In fact Jesus said that a man’s life does not consist of the abundance of the things he might possess. (Luke 12:15)  If we seek first the kingdom of God we won’t have to be overly concerned about such matters. (Matthew 6:31-33)  If we humble ourselves before him, he will exalt us when the time is right. (1 Peter 5:6-7)     

I’m not saying an abundant life precludes wealth, health, or worldly success, but it does not depend on it either.  Paul knew this better than anyone.  He knew how to be abased or exalted, have a full tummy or an empty one, and abound or suffer – and through it all be content and give thanks.  (Philippians 4:11-13; Ephesians 5:20)   

In other words, we can experience the abundant life even if we are going through trials with a family, dealing with a health crisis, poor as a church mouse, or at the bottom of the work force food chain.  John 10:10 is not speaking of prosperity. 

Sometimes we read into the scripture what really isn’t there.  John 10:10 tells us the reason Jesus came was so we could have life (eternal life, everlasting life, life without fear of death).  The phrase “more abundantly” is the Greek word “perissos” meaning “beyond, more, and above measure.”  It refers back to the word “life.”  Not only did Jesus come to give us eternal life, but even more than that, he lives his life within us right now.  His very presence in us adds something immeasurable to our existence.  He is what makes our life worth living in spite of how much money we have in the bank.  

If we read the whole passage of John 10 closely we see it’s about Jesus being our shepherd, we sheep hearing his voice, and Jesus being our open door.  The whole context is referring to us having access to God.  And that, my friend, is what the more abundant life is all about.  Not only do we get eternal life but as an added bonus we have the opportunity to build a relationship with Jesus Christ – the very one who makes it all possible.           

Our lives are richer because Jesus is a part of our lives.  If we actively live our lives to the glory of God, our lives will be rewarding.  We don’t have to be stressed or filled with fear.  We can have a peace that passes understanding because we trust God.  He has it all handled.  That doesn’t mean there won’t be illness, sadness or danger, but it does mean God is with us through it all.   

Man views abundance in terms of physical possessions.  God has a different perspective.  His abundant life is filled with love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control, compassion, humility, character, wisdom, enthusiasm, dignity, optimism, confidence, honesty, and a relationship with him.  In other words, the more abundant life is full of all the things money can’t buy.  No matter how much money you have, you cannot buy more patience, wisdom, hope, self-control, or salvation!

Money cannot buy us a “more abundant” life, but God can give it to us if we let him enter into our lives.  The more we open our hearts to God, the more abundant our lives will be.  

God created us as relational beings.  Humans long to connect with others.  We want people to understand us, empathize with us, share our joy, feel our pain, and so on.  In order for this to happen we slowly open ourselves up to others.  We start laying a foundation upon which we can build a relationship.  We give a little; they give a little.  We talk a little; they talk a little.  We listen; they listen.  Anyone who has built and maintained a close friendship knows it takes time and effort.  

Well, God is relational as well.  He longs for a relationship with us.  However, he will not force that relationship on us.  He will beckon or encourage us to come to him.  He will make himself available.  He will love us.  He will stand at the door and knock, but he won’t come in and fellowship with us unless we invite him. (Revelation 3:20)  He initiates, but he will not force us to respond.  That we must do on our own. 

How does one start this response process with God?  Perhaps communication holds the key.  Communication is a two way street.  It’s a give and take process.  We talk and he listens.  He talks and we listen. 

We Talk and He Listens

There is a fancy name for talking with God.  It’s called prayer.  It’s not quite as complicated as many would like you to think.

The purpose of prayer is to communicate with God and build a relationship with him.  If the only time we pray is when we feel guilty or when we feel a false sense of responsibility or when we want something from God, we shouldn’t plan on building much of a relationship.  After all, how many close friends could we keep if these were the only times we talked to them? Communication with God means telling him how we feel from the heart. 

Since we don’t always feel the same way, our prayers will vary.  Sometimes we might be angry or frightened. Sometimes we might be elated and joyful.  Sometimes we are anxious and worried.  Sometimes we are overwhelmed by God’s goodness and full of praise.  And we should always be able to find something to be thankful for.  We talk to God just like we would talk to our most intimate friend – from the heart and often.    

If we approach prayer from the heart instead of from a legalistic view, it doesn’t have to be intimidating.  We do not always have to pray kneeling for an hour at the same time every day, using the same words in the same tone of voice with a prayer list.  I’m not saying this is necessarily wrong.  I’m just saying we could do what the old gospel song says and “just have a little talk with Jesus.”  We can talk to Jesus about everything!

We don’t have to worry about what we say and in which order we say it.  We could even just sit in silence, meditate and “commune” with God.  Romans 8:26-27 says, “In the same way, the Spirit helps us in our weakness.  We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God’s will.”  Here’s the deal – God will help us to pray if we desire to do so. 

He Talks and We Listen

So how does God talk to us?  Some would have you believe God “talks” directly to them and tells them to do something specific or God speaks through dreams.  I think those are the exceptions, not the norm.  Today God doesn’t generally talk to us through a burning bush.  Usually, if we ask God to communicate with us, he will do so with what we come in contact with on a daily basis.

For example, studying God’s word is a good place to start.  The Bible is filled with God’s thoughts.  If we are truly interested in his point of view, we will be reading it.  The Bible is a living book.  We can read the same scripture many times and think we totally comprehend its meaning.  Then we will read it again and find some gem of understanding that had eluded us before.

If we open our hearts to God, we might find him speaking to us through a sunset, a small child’s smile, a co-worker’s off handed comment, a friend’s concern, a quote we read in a book, various circumstances, or even our own conscious.  It may come in the form of comfort, wisdom, or even correction.  Since we are not all alike, God might communicate in different ways to each of us.  The closer we are to God, the more we will hear and recognize his “voice” (John 10:4) when he speaks to us throughout our daily routine.  God speaks, but we have to be willing to listen. 

We were created to be relational beings.  Having a relationship requires us to communicate.  That means we talk and they listen, then they talk and we listen.  The same process works with God.  Although it takes time and effort, it isn’t that complicated.  Wouldn’t it be wise to try to build a relationship with the God who made us the way we are?

There are different kinds of prayer.  There are prayers of adoration, praise, thanksgiving, gratitude, supplication, repentance, intercession, petition, meditative, and others.  The prayer I would like to focus on today is the corporate prayer. 

Corporate prayer takes place when Christians gather together to draw close to God.  This can be in a small group, church service, or bible study setting.  The early church did this often to fellowship, share a meal, study doctrine, and pray together.  (Acts 2:42)  Praying together bonds us together.

Corporate prayers could include opening prayers, closing prayers, praying for requests, intercessory prayer, and so on.  Corporate prayers are not necessarily more effective than personal, individual prayers, but those sharing burdens alone can find encouragement in praying with others.  God is always with us, but he may have a stronger presence in the midst of where two or more are gathered in his name.  (Matthew 18:20)  

With that said, it doesn’t mean we get some huge power surge because we are gathered together in prayer.  Just because we all praying together doesn’t mean we have a better chance of getting what we want, but corporate prayer does bring edification (1 Thessalonians 5:11), encouragement (Hebrews 10:24, 25) and unity (John 17:22, 23). 

Although I recognize the benefits of corporate prayer I must admit I have a few pet peeves listening to others pray in a corporate setting.  Corporate prayer is meant to benefit all, not just the person praying.  Sometimes it seems like “open mike” night at the local club where people are given free license to speak about anything that comes to mind.  I just want to put my hand in front of my face and say, “Too much information!!!!!!” 

Too much information is disclosed.  I do not need to know the intimate details of who slept with whom, that John was embezzling, how long Sally’s labor pains lasted, the rumors of a lawsuit between two church members, the offensive remark Sue made, or that Billy Bob is selling drugs in the parking lot.  God knows the intimate details, so I don’t need to know them to join in prayer.    

At other times I wish I had a “hook” to remove people off stage because I feel like I’m in a filibuster.  They go on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on and on.  God may love the sound of their voices, but the rest of us do not.  This is not the time to share what was learned in personal bible study or what they wish everyone else knew so they could be as good a Christian as they are.  Too often corporate prayer is directed more to the listeners than it is to God.    

There is a fine art to leading corporate prayer.  We all know that the primary purpose of prayer is not to talk God into giving us what we want, but to bend our will to his.  Personally, I can’t help but think God’s will would be better served with shorter, focused corporate prayers that don’t reveal intimate details about everyone’s life.         

On July 4 we will celebrate the birthday of the United States.  It commemorates our Declaration of Independence from England and the birth of democracy in our great land.  Considered a major holiday, it represents the land of the free and the home of the brave. 

We are a diverse nation consisting of many cultures.  People flock to the United States seeking the “America dream.”   They are drawn to a land froth with opportunities and possibilities because of the freedoms offered.  Freedoms many of us who are born here take for granted.  Here is a little patriotic quiz and some trivia to bore friends and family with to get you in the mood to celebrate. 

 What is our National Anthem?

It’s the Star Spangled Banner.  Although you have to be an operatic student to be able to sing it and do it justice when you hit “and the rockets red glare…”  However we all chime in when we get to “and the home of the brave.”  That’s because we know it’s over and we can take a deep breath and sit down.

What is our National Bird?

It’s the bald eagle.  We all know Benjamin Franklin lobbied for the turkey but lost to a more majestic creature.  The bald eagle was chosen for its strength, long life, and supposedly during some battle in the Revolutionary War a nest of them awoke, shrieked loudly, and soared overhead.   Fortunately turkeys don’t soar or we would be having chicken every Thanksgiving.    

What is our National Flower? 

It’s the rose.  In 1986 Congress passed a joint resolution and President Reagan signed a proclamation to make the rose our “national floral emblem.”  Poetic justice probably dictates a flower with beauty and thorns was chosen.  Freedoms do not come easily.

Obscure Fourth of July Trivia

The following people were born on the Fourth of July: composer Stephen Foster, playwright Neil Simon, advice columnists Ann Landers and Dear Abby, President Calvin Coolidge, author Nathaniel Hawthorne, Yankee Doodle Dandy’s George M. Cohan, and Tom Cruise.

(Actually Tom Cruise was born on July 3 but he did star in the movie Born on the Fourth of July so I thought he deserved an honorable mention.)  And let’s not forget Louis Armstrong who celebrated his birthday on July 4 even though he was actually born on August 4.  That patriotic little Satchmo!

Three presidents died on July 4:  Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and James Monroe.

On July 4, 1876 Susan B. Anthony read the Declaration of Rights for Women at Freedom Hall in Philadelphia.

On July 4, 1881 Booker T. Washington opened the Tuskagee Institute.

On July 4, 1882 Buffalo Bill opened his Wild West Show and toured the country for 35 years.

On July 4, 1895 America the Beautiful is first printed.  (A mighty fine, patriotic song in a singable key, I might mention.)

On July 4, 1884 France gave the Statue of Liberty to the U.S.

And my personal favorite, on July 4, 1778 George Washington helped the nation celebrate by giving double portions of rum to the troops, which in my opinion is a grand way to celebrate a birthday!

Happy Birthday to US!

As we eat the barbecue and watch the fireworks this year, let’s remember the United States of America is more than a song, a bird, a flower, or trivia to be forgotten.  In fact, there is nothing trivial about this great country of ours or what it represents.  Dreams!  Ideas!  Blessings!  Freedom!

So Happy Birthday to US!  And may God continue to bless America, stand beside her, and guide her…our home, sweet home!  (Which is another mighty fine, patriotic, inspirational song in a singable key, I might mention!)

Many times we go to people asking advice but we really do not want their input.  What we really desire is their stamp of approval on what we want to do. 

Unfortunately, we can approach our spiritual life the same way.  Many prayers are not seeking God’s guidance in our lives, but an attempt to talk God into giving us what we want.  Give me, give me, give me prayers miss the mark.  No wonder the disciples had to ask Christ, “Lord, teach us to pray.”  (Luke 11:1)

Prayer can have many components:  praise (1 Chronicles 29:10-13), adoration (Ephesians 3:14-21), thanksgiving (Ephesians 5:20), supplication (Matthew 7:7, Philippians 4:6), confession (Proverbs 28:13, 1 John 1:9), and so on.  However, most of us just focus on supplication and trying to get what we want for ourselves and for others. 

However, effective prayer’s purpose is not to get what we want; it’s a way of changing ourselves so we want the right things.  Prayer is not a means to change our circumstances as much as it is a way to change ourselves.  That’s heavy stuff.  Prayer coupled with bible study helps us form a deeper relationship with God and know the mind of God. 

While it is true that God hears all prayers, if the only time we pray is when we are at the end of our rope, expecting God to deliver us from our circumstances is unreasonable.   Prayer doesn’t change circumstances as much as it changes us so we can cope with our circumstances.   We don’t pray, “Let my will be done;” we pray, “Let thy will be done.” (Matthew 6:10) 

If we are praying often we can even grow to mean it when we say, “Let thy will be done.”  Our goal should be to align our will with God’s.  Christ realized this when he prayed for “this cup to pass from me” regarding his crucifixion, yet he told God he wanted God’s will to be done.  (Matthew 26:39)  

We were created to be in a relationship with God.  Prayer is part of that process.  A deep, meaningful relationship cannot form unless you have a means of constant contact.  Prayer is our avenue of developing that relationship.  It provides continual dialog with God.

Perhaps our prayers would get more results if we didn’t approach them with the attitude of “I wonder what God can do for me today?”  Maybe asking God what we can do to better serve him each day would make all our prayers more effective.

It is said that “any man can be a father, but it takes someone special to be a dad.”  So Happy Dad’s Day to dads everywhere!  You are special!

What Makes a Dad
God took the strength of a mountain,
The majesty of a tree,
The warmth of a summer sun,
The calm of a quiet sea,
The generous soul of nature,
The comforting arm of night,
The wisdom of the ages,
The power of the eagle’s flight,
The joy of a morning in spring,
The faith of a mustard seed,
The patience of eternity,
The depth of a family need,
Then God combined these qualities,
When there was nothing more to add,
He knew His masterpiece was complete,
And so, He called it … Dad
                                           ~Author Unknown

Recently an acquaintance with a severe back problem was lamenting that God had not healed her.  Why?  She wondered.  Then she named off those in the bible God had healed and a few others she knew first hand.  After all, she was a Christian who prayed for others and had beseeched God to take away her pain.  Why wasn’t God granting her wish?   

I empathized with her situation, but gently pointed out that perhaps God did not exist to take away our pain.  Healing is something God performs for his glory not our comfort.  This was a totally foreign concept for her so she said, “I’ll have to think about that.” 

Indeed God is capable of easing our pain, but he generally doesn’t touch us with a magic wand where it hurts to make it better, like kissing a “boo-boo.”  Although he might sprinkle a little fairy dust of stamina, endurance, encouragement, perseverance or peace of mind to help us make it through the hard times, he doesn’t always just take our discomfort away.   

We all want God to immediately do his supernatural thing to fix us, things, or circumstances.  That isn’t the way God usually works.  What he might do is plant a seed in our mind that gets us thinking.  It might come from something we read, a phrase, the lyrics to a song we’re listening to, or what someone says off handedly that starts us on the road to healing.   Sometimes he gives pieces of solutions, bit by bit.  We eventually discover that perhaps God isn’t as concerned about our circumstances as our reaction to them.   

God is not some big sugar daddy in the sky just waiting to grant over every request, no matter how heartfelt it may be.  When we pray to God we are not presenting some Santa Claus with our a daily Christian wish list so he can get right on it, snap to it, and busily take care of what we think we need. 

Unfortunately our idea of needs and wants seem to blur when talking to God.  Fortunately for us God can tell the difference.  That’s why we trust him.  I guess that’s a question we must all ask ourselves:  Do we trust God?  Do we trust him to give us what we need opposed to what we want?    

Although our immediate healing might be a legitimate need in our eyes, it might not be one in God’s eyes.  There may be areas connected with our illness that he wants to use for our spiritual growth.  And although God may not always quickly take away our discomfort, he will give us what we need to become a better Christian servant for his glory.

Pulitzer Prize winner Doris Kearns Goodwin’s book Team of Rivals paints a portrait of the American Civil War and the men who led our nation at the time.  This well documented manuscript uses personal letters, full of insights and perceptions you won’t find in any history book.  After reading these unbiased accounts of all involved in the leadership of our country at that time I’m convinced Abraham Lincoln was more than a political genius, he was a compassionate, just, fair, and moral humanitarian. 

Blessed with the ability not to take criticism personally, his thoughts were only for the good of the country.  Personal grievances or offenses that would have weighed down and obscured decisions of lesser men never hindered him from making wise choices.  Always willing to go the extra mile and give others the benefit of the doubt, Lincoln knew when to be compassionate and when to stand strong.  How else could he have persuaded his rivals to become his cabinet members and help him lead a country in turmoil?  These learned statesmen had desired the coveted role of president themselves and were chagrinned to lose to a backwoods, self educated lawyer full of anecdotes and folksy stories, who looked more like a cartoon character than a political leader.  However, each came to respect and admire him beyond anticipation and openly wept when he died. 

Lincoln knew his Bible inside and out – and more importantly the principles it promoted.  For example when one complained to him about the weakness of a certain cabinet member Lincoln said, “Go home my friend and read the tenth verse of the thirtieth chapter of Proverbs!”  The verse says not to accuse a servant to his master unless you be the one found guilty.

As the war raged on, Lincoln’s religious reverence and belief in God increased.  Lincoln knew the Civil War was in the hands of a higher power.  He may not have attended church regularly or “kept the Sabbath scrupulously” his friend Swett observed, “but he believed in God as much as the most approved Church member.”  Lincoln was “full of religion” and belief in “the great laws of truth, the rigid discharge of duty, and his accountability to God.”

During his Second Inaugural address Lincoln profoundly recognized that both the North and South had read the same Bible and prayed to the same God, and each invoked God’s aid against the other.  However, he said, “…judge not that you be not judged…The prayers of both could not be answered; that of neither has been answered fully.  The Almighty has His own purpose.” 

Lincoln never condemned the South for an inability to end slavery when he himself knew of no easy solution.  As victory for the North drew near Lincoln urged his fellow countrymen: “With malice toward none; with charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds; to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his widow, and his orphan – to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and a lasting peace, among ourselves, and with all nations.”

When the South did surrender Lincoln instructed Grant to let the Confederate soldiers keep their sidearms, horses, and baggage, and let them return to their homes undisturbed by Union authorities.  Unfortunately, the South did not know what an ally they had in Lincoln.  When he was assassinated, just weeks after his Second Inaugural address and the South’s defeat, the southern born Blairs wrote, “Those of southern sympathies know now they have lost a friend willing – and more powerful to protect and serve them than they can now ever hope to find again.”  Lincoln’s death was considered, “the heaviest blow which has ever fallen upon the people of the South.”

When just twenty-three Lincoln wrote, “I have no other ambition so great as that of being truly esteemed of my fellow men, by rendering myself worthy of their esteem.  How far I shall succeed in gratifying this ambition is yet to be developed.”  I think he far surpassed his or anyone else’s expectations.

In 1909 Tolstoy summed up Lincoln’s greatness by saying, “…Lincoln was a humanitarian as broad as the world.  He was bigger than his country…We are still too near his greatness but after a few centuries more our posterity will find him considerable bigger than we do.” 

Well, centuries have passed and I think Tolstoy was right.  Today’s politicians could learn a lot from Lincoln’s legacy.