Dear Sisters in Christ,
With all the talking we’ve done about the importance of history and the grand adventures of bygone days, I thought it might be good to offer a bit of balancing perspective. I don’t know about you, but I do know about me (some of the time at least!), and I know that as a girl I frequently longed to live in some former era. Let’s face it: the average historical films and historical fiction that girls these days watch and read tend to make life “back then” look pretty amazing! Of course, it’s right, good and to our benefit that we learn about and honor those who have come before us (Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 32:7, Jeremiah 6:16, Ephesians 6:2-3, Hebrews 12:1—remembering the “cloud of witnesses”). However, recognizing that God has providentially placed us at just the right point rather than pining to be somewhere else is also important. Scripture reminds us that “godliness with contentment is great gain…” (I Timothy 6:6). Now I can see that, at least in my case, I was caught up in an incorrect view of both the past and the present. Thankfully, my point of view all started to change when I was in my teens and found myself immersed in the saga of America’s War for Independence.
That year my sister and I had divided up the eras of American history and were responsible for teaching each other the vitals on each section. Being me, I dove into it and practically ate (Time period recipes occasionally found their way to the table.), read, dreamed, wore (Costumes, please!) and just about lived my eras. After doing everything from listening to 1776 while washing dishes to going around in my mob cap, I came to several conclusions that, for me, proved astounding.
Those conclusions formed themselves into a little essay, portions of which I am reposting here. Crafted in a mere three days, this paper is no literary feat, but it surprisingly made its way to the 2007 Liberty Day Essay Contest. Through ensuing events, God used it to catapult my family into a whole new series of adventures…but that’s a story for a different time.
The American Revolution Revelation
As a child, I wished I could live in American history. This past year, as I traveled through books into the American Revolution, my old longing returned. At my historical journey’s end, I realized that today differs little from then and that my wish came true.
Although living conditions, customs and technology have changed dramatically in America since her birth, much remains the same. Once again Americans are protecting freedom for future generations….
On my journey, I discovered that I am living history, not as it was in the American Revolution, but as it is today in 2007. While fearless Paul Revere no longer spies in Boston, valiant Molly Hays no longer carries her pitcher to wounded soldiers, wise George Washington no longer rides Mount Vernon’s grounds, and inspired Betsy Ross no longer pulls her needle, Americans today can imitate the Revolution’s heroes. I can still live as they lived. The Revolution’s true heroes lived to sacrifice themselves for God and country. No thoughts of living in history texts’ pages drove them through the struggles. Those men and women did what they believed was right—what they knew Scripture declared right—for their families and their country’s future.
I want to emulate these heroes, and although I may never defend America on the battlefield, I now know that, whatever one’s tools are, part of the battle is doing the right thing for God and country. I want children someday to admire heroes not only from the Revolution but also from this millennium’s first decade. That is my new [prayer]. That is the American Revolution revelation.
(As a side note, I now wouldn’t refer to that era as the American Revolution because a “revolution” carries with it connotations that I don’t believe apply to America’s experience very well. America’s struggle for independence was vastly different from, say, the French Revolution or the Bolshevik Revolution, and I like to keep that clear! However, one must admit, it’s much trickier to alliterate with “the War for Independence”…)
Like I said, for me this revelation was truly astounding. Discontentment seems to be such a troublesome issue with us girls! Of course, I don’t have a corner on being content yet, but at least on this particular issue I am grateful that I can be satisfied that God has planted me in precisely the right place in His plan and that I can’t wait to see what He has in store!
If any of you, dear sisters, have ever fancied that you would have faired better in some far away frame of time as I used to think, I hope this might encourage you to look differently at your present, and I would love to hear from you if you have any thoughts on the subject.
As a parting reflection, if you ever do find yourself having idealized notions of, say the 1800s, I challenge you to put on three to four layers of clothes (covered from head to toe, you know), build a blazing outdoor fire, hunt up a giant kettle filled with water (hauled by you, remember) and spend several hours stirring clothes in boiling water with lye soap in an attempt to get them clean…all on an about-90-degree day! By personal experience, I found that to be a great reality check and the final cure for my illusions.
Here’s to living God-glorifying, 21st-century-style adventures!
Blessings,
~Kristen
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