We All Have Regrets....(Part 1)

Having regrets over a choice you made doesn't, however, mean you made the wrong choice!

Young America was most definitely in the throes of birth pangs. A little over a year later, she would declare her independent existence, and "dissolve the political bands" that tied her to a tyrannical 'parent'. This birthing process, like any other, would be far from painless and would involve the shedding of blood. The events of April 19, 1775, when eight American heroes lost their lives at Lexington Green, mandated the calling of the Second Continental Congress, during which there would be deliberations to select a commander-in-chief for the colonial militia.

Flashback: It is the fall of 1753. Robert Dinwiddie, governor of Virginia, had previously appointed a twenty year old George Washington adjutant of the Virginia militia, and was now sending him on something of a diplomatic mission. The young Washington was to intervene in a territorial conflict between the French and British over ownership of lands along the Ohio River system. Though unsuccessful in that specific goal, our future first President instead provided critical military intelligence on the French presence in the area. His detailed maps, information and personal assessments of the situation brought him into a very bright spotlight, making him famous in the colonies.

That fame escalated months later when now Lieutenant Colonel Washington played a perhaps unfortunate part in the ambush that precipitated the French and Indian War. Though forced to surrender in a subsequent defeat and resigning his commission in October of 1754, George Washington and his men received official praise for the defense of their country. His growing reputation remained unscathed.

In the spring of 1755, Governor Dinwiddie again recruited Washington. He was made commander-in-chief of the entire Virginia militia. Leading the defense of a 350-mile frontier against the French and their Indian allies, for three years Washington knew no small task. He had to establish his authority, raise an army, command in the field, and juggle politically (via letter) the governor and the legislature to insure the continuance of his funding and the strength of his position. He also had to create and maintain supply lines through the embattled territory to provide for the needs of his troops. Lastly, a discipline necessary for survival was developed, which served George Washington well for the rest of his life.

Back to 1775: so...any of the above sound familiar?

Along inspirational lines, may I suggest that what you experience as trial and struggle in your life, could very well be the hand of God blazing a trail for you towards future greatness. Just consider it.

Again, back to 1775: Though not the only candidate, Washington's demeanor and well-known prior military experience earned him the office of commander-in-chief of the colonial military forces on the first ballot.


Thank you so much for stopping by, and I hope you will return for the conclusion of "We All Have Regrets..." !

Freedom is Not Free...and, some Background

It is generally known, I think, that freedom does not come without a fight...on any level. There is not just one battle, either. The adversary will not give in easily, and though defeated once, will return to oppose and vanquish, if possible. George Washington foresaw that eventuality when, in 1774, he declared that a war with Great Britain would result in the spilling of more blood than had yet to be seen in North American history.

The extraordinary and compelling language of the Declaration of Independence outlines the "long train of abuses and usurpations" that were perpetrated by the King of England on the American colonies, abuses intending to "reduce (the colonies) under absolute despotism". Not remembering much from grade school history (!), I am staggered upon reading this list of unrelenting oppression against a young America.

One of the final incidents leading to the outright armed conflict of the Revolutionary War was the English response to the famous 'Boston Tea Party'. Protesting taxation on the tea, 15,000 pounds of it were dumped into Boston harbor by a group of colonists disguised as Indians, in December of 1773. British Parliament reacted with the passing of four laws that became known among American citizens as the Intolerable Acts, affecting their commerce, territory, and government. King George III at that time made a solemn pronouncement: "The die is now cast; the colonies must either submit or triumph."

One of these laws called for the closing of the port of Boston, and the enforcement of that law was guaranteed by the presence of British warships. An elected member of the House of Burgesses, George Washington voted with the other burgesses declaring this act to be a hostile invasion of Boston. Shortly thereafter, delegates from all the colonies convened for the first Continental Congress,in May of 1774.

George Washington was elected as a representative for the state of Virginia, and later that year, he was made field officer for the Virginia militia.

On April 19, 1775, the first shots of the Revolutionary War were fired at Lexington Green, Massachusetts. It is astonishing to me that we were outnumbered almost ten to one that fateful day. Seven hundred British soldiers! against about seventy-seven of Paul Revere's Minute Men...what a threat we were to them! What a threat the spirit of Liberty is to all those who desperately need to control!

Thank you so much for stopping by......Christina

"Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty"....(2nd.Cor.3:17)

Moving Right Along...

Let me elaborate on my last post.

From my perspective, it seems that much thought, planning and effort were invested in providing the training and life experiences that would be necessary to bring our nation's first leader into the timeline of American history at the precise moment when he was desperately needed. In addition, the extraordinary qualities that made George Washington almost revered, as well as an effective commander, were cultivated deliberately by the One behind the scenes. A plan was set in motion, and it was brought to fruition. We stand here today, the most blessed and mightiest country in the world, as testament to that fact.

If you believe in a God, (and I obviously do!) the fact that such pains were taken by Him to provide our fledgling nation with such competent leadership speaks well of Divine intentions concerning these United States. It tells me that this country was in His mind and heart, and His desire was to birth it. With this in mind, and despite appearances to the contrary as history has progressed, I believe His hand is still upon us.

Thank you for stopping by and taking the time to read my entries.

Picking Up Where I Left Off...

Thank you for stopping by, and I hope you will continue to do so!

In my last Post, we were considering events that factored into the placement in history of the man who became our first President. We saw that a shipwreck, by almost all definitions a crisis, perhaps even a tragedy, could be seen from a different perspective. Though devastating at the time, the wreck of The Sea Horse of London brought to our shores the genealogy of George Washington. The hand of God was at work generations before this man would be called upon to fulfill his, and our, destiny, setting in motion the lives and relationships that would finally lead to his birth in 1732. But for a violent storm and its subsequent damage, that birth would've most likely taken place somewhere in Europe instead. Such, however, was not to be the case.

Bringing this dynamic to a more personal level, if I may, try to remember this lesson from our history and re-think your own 'shipwrecks' , when they occur.

Once again, thank you so much for visiting.


Christina

Way Back When...

While the United States of America is undoubtedly the world's superpower, a mighty land, so many (even of her own citizens) denigrate her. I cannot say these accusations are entirely unfounded, of course; this country is inhabited by,and governed by human beings, who are subject to the failings that accompany that nature.

But...going back in time, learning some of our history, I have been surprised and comforted to see a Power at work in the eventual formation of the United States, a Power beyond human control. What started out as a shipwreck became ultimate victory and glory. What some may see as a mere chain of events, I see as Almighty God making His plans, preparing the leadership for a young country yet to be born.

Early in 1657,the Sea Horse of London,a merchant ship having been loaded with tobacco, was caught in rough weather as it sailed down the Potomac River,heading back home to Europe. The ship capsized and was washed ashore.

It took the crew of the Sea Horse some time to effect her repairs, so long in fact that one of her mates had time to meet and cultivate a relationship with the daughter of an influential Virginian landowner. The Sea Horse departed Virginian waters without her mate, who remained behind to marry the young woman and build a life with her on American soil.

The crewman's name? John Washington, the great-grandfather of George Washington, the first President of the United States of America.