A Message from George Washington

I have quoted America's first president in many of my articles over the years.  I most often cite one particular statement -- one of my favorites from the era of our Founding Fathers.

Wise Founding Father

Before I repeat it here, I want to ask what you think is George Washington's greatest legacy for America.  Is it his victory in battle over the British and others during his superb military career?  Is it his legendary aversion to bullets, flying through is jacket but not him?  Is it his prayers and ability to retain vague order and morale at Valley Forge among his rag-tag army?  Is it his ascendancy to being the first president of the United States -- twice?  Is it his amazing choice to step down from power and popularity after two terms -- setting a standard that remains with us today, albeit in codified form?  Or is it perhaps his marriage to Martha Washington along with their beautiful mansion at Mount Vernon?  Or is it enough that his name appears on schools and cities all over the country, and his face on so much of our currency, like Caesar of old?

For the record, the evidence of Washington's faith in the holy, gracious, merciful, and almighty biblical Trinity is what I consider to be his greatest legacy -- both for himself and for his country.  But I digress.

Ok, now for the quote.  This is how General Washington replied when the Continental Congress offered him near-dictatorial powers around the end of America's War for Independence, in 1783:

"Instead of thinking myself freed from all civil obligations by this mark of their confidence, I shall constantly bear in mind that as the sword was the last resort for the preservation of our liberties, so it ought to be the first thing laid aside when those liberties are firmly established."

How can we describe this?  Wise -- knowing his potential as a human being to destroy a good thing through personal ambition.  Humble -- not believing himself to be the epitome of the American experiment.  Merciful -- seeking to establish liberty through means that themselves bolster an attitude of freedom.  Faithful -- telling the world that the American people, and / or God Himself, is the source of hope for America's future. Noble and courageous and dutiful also come to mind.

I love the tone this set for his later life (such as stepping down from the presidency).  Matthew 25 says those who are faithful over a few things will receive greater responsibilities in the future.  Good leaders are wary of their own success and of the faith others have in their success.

But tonight, while checking the very pregnant cows and heifers in the corrals on my dad's ranch under a pure, starry sky, I thought of something more personal regarding Washington's principled words...

Going a Step Further

Imagine you are butting heads with somebody close to you -- like a spouse, sibling, or colleague.  You want it to end peacefully and soon, but everything you say seems to keep the conflict alive or even make it worse.  We may call such words Washington's "sword."

What would happen if you put away your sword as early as possible in the conflict (I'm intentionally avoiding the question the validity of the argument in the first place)?  If you merely drew the sword "as a last resort for the preservation of our liberties [or we may say relational harmony]," then indeed "it ought to be the first thing laid aside" when even a ray of hope appears on the horizon.

I do not mean ignoring the issue or the person.  I also do not mean abandoning truth or godly conviction just to appease.  I do mean going all out for the relationship, even if you "lose" the fight, forgive, or apologize.  To do this you need godly traits like mercy or grace or humility.  In fact, lots of biblical passages may apply here:

-Matthew 26: "All who take the sword will perish by the sword."

-Mark 12: "Love your neighbor as yourself."

-Luke 6: "Just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them."

Or, more directly: "A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.  The tongue of the wise uses knowledge rightly, but the mouth of fools pours forth foolishness." (Proverbs 15)

James 3 clinches the deal for us.  It tells us why Washington could place peacemaking above mere conquest, and why the tactics for the latter should be taken up last and put down first as much as possible:

"Every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea,

is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. But no man can tame the tongue.

It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. With it we bless our God and Father,

and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God.

Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing.

My brethren, these things ought not to be so...

For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield,

full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy.

Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace."

Why do I share this right now -- besides the inspiration that night skies and hundreds of cows' butts provide?  Because I have recalled these things far too little this week.  And I expect I will need to remember them just as much tomorrow and beyond as well!