Flawed But Still Our Founding Father!

This coming Wednesday we will celebrate the 4th of July where we commemorate the adoption of the signed Declaration of Independence on that very day back in 1776. We associate this celebration as the defining moment of our founding as a nation. Setting aside the arguments pro and con regarding whether this American rebellion meets the Biblical basis as defined in Romans 13, I want to share my thoughts about one of the giants who was instrumental in the early days of our Republic. There are many heroes to choose from but none more striking and none more important than George Washington.

A few years ago I read the book written by Richard Brookhiser entitled “Founding Father”. Mr. Brookhiser’s reexamination of the life and times of this great man was written to answer the many critics and revisionist historians who seem to view all of history through their post modern lenses as they sit in their easy chairs. I highly recommend this book because it reminds us of a man who stood up and was counted during times of great distress and hardship. Was George Washington a perfect man? Absolutely not. Did he own slaves? Yes he did. Did he demonstrate other foibles and quirks in his personality? Yes. However, taken within the context of this man’s life and his staggering contributions to his generation and those who would follow make the sum total of all of these documented flaws to melt away in their first contact with the morning sun.

Mr. Brookhiser makes his case for why George Washington more than any other figure of his times deserves the title as our founding father. I am one that believes truth as best we can know it about history and the people who shaped it is always preferable to conjured up images, legends, and myths. When you separate out as best we can the facts from the fiction George Washington is still the giant we know him to be in terms of his character, his resolve, and his living out of a legacy that he knew would impact generations to come.

It is this part of his story that is the most fascinating to me. George Washington acted in his contemporary times fully appreciating the impact and influence of his actions on the future of our nation. Did you get that? He did things the way he did on purpose, often giving up much in the way of immediate personal gratification, because he sensed the power of his example. This is an amazing testimony to a true visionary. He was also a deeply religious man and we should never forget that he believed in the providence of God and trusted himself and all ultimate outcomes into the hands of The Almighty.

Two hundred thirty one years later we are still talking about the contributions of people that made what we have today a reality. A number of years ago I was at a conference in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania. On one of my free afternoons I was able to visit Valley Forge. I will confess that I am a time traveler since a youngster and historical people and places have been my main destinations. Therefore, being at Valley Forge, walking the grounds, seeing the huts where men literally froze to death, and touring the museum gave me a sense of pride and thankfulness for the sacrifice of others that have made our life possible today. The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) act as tour guides at the main house where the Washington’s actually stayed.

This house has been preserved and walking through its hallways is a remarkable experience. The master bedroom where Martha and George slept was upstairs. The story was told that General Washington refused to sleep upstairs during that winter siege where so many died. He said it would not be proper for him to enjoy the comforts of a bed with his wife while his men suffered such harsh conditions. An older lady was sitting outside the bedroom as I stood there observing the furnishings. Since it was just she and I, I asked her a question as to whether the wood floor in the bedroom was the same floor that General Washington had walked on when he was in residence there. She said it most certainly was and she went on to point out all the other objects that were original to the property.

This was what I wanted to know. I then carefully lifted my leg over the velvet rope and placed my foot solidly on the bedroom floor. She smiled and I thanked her and left that place knowing that my foot had stood on a place where greatness had once walked. A number of George Washington’s prayers have been preserved and I can assure you that he would encourage us all to look to the Great God of Heaven who in His divine grace and providence gave to us this great nation, and that we would conduct our lives accordingly. As we prepare to celebrate our freedoms, may we also pause to remember the sacrifices made on our behalf. May God bless the memory of our larger than life, flawed but faithful founding father. More later………….