Is it worth it to be concerned?

I spoke with a friend today who was questioning the wisdom of praying for the best. No, it isn't easy at all to find yourself on the losing side of a battle. If anything, it should prepare you to acknowledge that though a battle may have been lost, the war must still be fought. Picture yourself in the boots of General George Washington at Valley Forge, I advised. The General knew that a battle victory was necessary to change not only the tide of the war, but the mood of the country itself.

The rest, as we occasionally say, is history. The battle of Trenton saved the General, our Continental forces, and subsequently, the country as well. Turning points are seldom recognized during their moment, rather, it is always through the prism of historical hindsight that they become so very apparent. Today, though absent the ability to see the future, we know only that we must, as did the General, continue the struggle. The odds though greatly not in our favor, are nonetheless ample evidence of the necessity to ratchet up our resolve, and our commitment to victory.

How many times have you heard a coach praise a player for having given his or her very best effort, when defeat was the result? Quite a few I would say. Such times are character defining, and offer the secrets to future success. At the end of the struggle, how would you answer the question: "Did I give my very best"? If your answer is yes, then the way has been paved, your future is secure in the hands God gave to you. Though your future may still be bleak it most certainly will be less so, and all because you gave your very best. That, I told my friend, is all that God asks, and expects of us all.

Always keep a keen eye on those who preceeded us, and how they responded to crises in their lives. Never accept defeat on it's terms. You set the rules of engagement; you determine the battle field; you search the depths of your character, and select the tools with which to secure a favorable outcome. Let the rest to the historians with their 20/20 vision of past events.

...and now, back to the education of my grandchildren...