"Lose heart and you lose everything."
- Proverbs 4:23
I was reading about one of my favorite people this
week. He was born 1870. When he was forty-four World War I began. It ended in November 0f 1918 and he was sent
shortly thereafter to assist in the rebuilding of Europe. He returned to the United States in 1921 and
began to work as a volunteer in several organizations such as the Sons of the
American Revolution and the Boy Scouts of America. He continued his community work throughout
the Great Depression and World War II until he passed away just after the end
of the war in 1951. I have read many of
his writings, through the years, but never took the time to look at the world
through his eyes in time until now.
Seeing history through his eyes has changed my whole view of
him as well as of the way I look at today's world and its potential
futures. As I took a chronicled look back
at his life as a reference in his contemporary world, his very stature grew
immeasurably in my mind. I now see a man
who, when faced with some of the most challenging events in world history,
stood tall. He never lost heart!
This new approach, for me, of combining the study of history
while looking through its contemporary lives has given me new hope. It has shown me that one life can make an
amazing difference even when everything good and wholesome seems to be on the
verge of total collapse. I can look our current
challenges squarely in the face now, knowing that others before me have faced
as great or greater challenges over most of their lives.
There may be a time when the hearts of men and women fail,
but it will not be this day if you will join me by going out and doing good.