It is February, time to think about love, instead of impeachment and hatred between groups. Valentines day seems not to fit in today’s comings and goings. But let’s not forget. February is also the birthdays of two great presidents. Today I want you to think about President Abraham Lincoln.
He had self education, and learned much by candle light but he did have honesty and a strong love for his country. I was reading the other day about President Lincoln’s second inauguration, March 4, 1865. the day was dull and rainy, but it cleared up in time for the inauguration. a platform had been built on the east front of the capitol and around it, as far as the eye could see were people.A roar broke out when the president took took his place on the platform. The crowd became silent as he began to speak. Just then, the sun came through the clouds.
“On the occasion corresponding to this four years ago, all thoughts were anxiously directed to an impending civil war. Neither party expected the magnitude of the duration which it has already attained.” (I’m not writing it all,) but he goes on to say: “With charity for all; with firmness in the right, as God gives us to see the right, let us strive on to finish the work we are in; to bind up the nation’s wounds, to care for him who shall have borne the battle, and for his wife and his orphans….to do all which may achieve and cherish a just and lasting peace among ourselves and with all nations.”
Afterwards, Lincoln told reporters he had not expected such an ovation. He didn’t even expect to be re-elected. His four years had been difficult, years of struggle, suffering and bloodshed and people had hated and denounced him. One newspaper called him “The obscene ape of Illinois. Horace Greeley had written an editorial declaring; “Mr. Lincoln is already beaten.” and so, he had not expected to stand on that platform to take the oath again, even though it was clear the Civil War was nearly over. He said he felt no elation in the victory, but he did see the hand of God in it.
I can see that today we see things never end. what is that saying?—-what goes around comes around. Yes, that is true, but we have a special country with special people in it. and though we make mistakes we seem to come together and make our country great. Our great nation is because a great man whose birthday we will soon celebrate, is just one of the people who makes our country work. And though you may think our country has just gone to the dogs, we will rise again just like the time of the Civil War.
So let’s not ever think America is over. It will Never be over as long as we believe that God is in control. America will never fail as long as we have men and women who will fight diligently for our country, It will never fail as long as we have people who will urgently pray for it. Yes, America is a special country!
GramMa's Thoughts 