Unrelated Observations...

I am told that my interests in documetaries, occassional autobiographies and other somewhat detailed leave the rest of us a little...  ...what's the word, "bored?"  I guess that makes me a nerd.  Or, maybe its just a phase.

Last week I found a PBS documentary about Mark Twain (Samuel Clemens) and today another Ken Burns documentary about Thomas Jefferson.  In many ways these men were great and we study them in history because of the effect they had on us, our country and even more.

Mark Twain was a successful humorist and author, but plagued with continual failure and grief.  He loved to play with his kids, but was also a terrible grump.  Later in life, He walked the streets on Sunday mornings in his gaudy white suit with red socks to make sure that all saw him not attending services.  Such was his anger that God would allow such suffering upon him.  He died a disappointed and bitter man.

Thomas Jefferson, an icon of liberty and American ideals was also afflicted in such similar ways.  My regard for him is as conflicted as he must have been to himself.  He cherished the privacy of his private home, yet felt it necessary to serve public office before during and after the Revolutionary War.  He penned the words of the Declaration of Independence, "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men were created equal..." and yet he owned among the largest numbers of slave in the state of Virginia.  He labored to have slavery eradicated, but set the issue aside for political practicality in the founding.

He was at once a soft-spoken recluse and a decisive and powerful political thinker.  An intellectual of many pursuits, he was a farmer, architect, scientist as well as the famous politician and statesman.

These men, among others I have considered, are a bit lost in the highlights of history.  It is unfortunate in many ways, as we lose the personalities to memorize the dates and accomplishments from our lessons.  There are more lessons to learn from such men - not necessarily from their greatnesses.

I have at different times envied them for their strengths and opportunities, but not now.  Now, I pity them; but I admire them too.  Clemens for his wit throughout his life (even he was confused with that); and Jefferson for his will and ambition for this country and for liberty.  Conflicted?  Yes.

Earlier this week, or last, (I hardly remember the days any more) I listened as a mother of a tragically disabled 12 year old shared how God was continually caring for them and using her to minister not in spite of her circumstances, but through them.  Not conflicted - but convicted of God's love, care and values on His Children.  "Heroes," the song says, "come in every shape and size, making daily sacrifices for others in their lives..."  (Paul Overstreet, Heroes)

It's part of what makes the Frank Capra movie, "It's a Wonderful Life" so, well, wonderful.  (Sniff...) Your pastor, your boss, your parent, your teacher, maybe your Senator (though I presently have my doubts on that last one)...   ...maybe you - to someone else, your kids?  

The irony is that were I you, reading this post, I would blaze through it with little more than a thought. 

Have a movie night sometime, to watch something meaningful...  ...history is best served with a side of personality, and not all entertainment is completely empty of moral value.  But you will find more value in some hostorical characters than most of the present day ones...

I would invite you over, but it would be unbearable to abolish the appearances of my masculinity with my sniffles...