My Dear Mr. Jefferson
By Debbie Daniel (06/30/04)
This isn’t just any birthday party for me; each year it becomes more precious . . . maybe because I’m getting older and today my country is hurting.
I look as forward to this birthday as I do my own. I want to have a big celebration, but I’m not sure everyone’s up to it.
I’m ready to hoop and holler through the streets of hometown USA with the flag in hand shouting praises and cheers of . . . Happy Birthday America!!!
But I could very well be locked up for doing that. In fact, yes, I probably would . . . for disturbing the peace . . . or offending someone who hates our country. We have freedoms, you know.
It is with a pained heart that I write to you. I need to hear again what it took for men like you, Benjamin Franklin, John Hancock, John Adams and the fifty-two others who sacrificed for a people that may not fully appreciate what you did for them.
The birth of our country is a special anniversary, but I can’t seem to get many people to do much more than take their day and celebrate just being off work.
Oh, it’s not that they aren’t happy with what they have; most just don’t know the difference. One cannot truly appreciate the value of what he has unless he’s never had it, or doesn’t have it anymore.
Why would you men give up so much to prepare and sign a parchment that would stand as a documented partnership between the living, the dead and the yet unborn? What was your passion? What possessed you?
The last paragraph in your covenant states: “We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, our sacred honor.”
We call it the Declaration of Independence, but at that time you might as well have been signing your own death certificate. All fifty-six of your signatures were kept secret for one half year because all of you who made that promise knew when you signed that you were risking everything.
If you won the fight, the best you could expect would be years of hardship in a struggling new nation. And if you lost . . . you’d soon be dangling from the end of a rope and labeled a traitor.
You had it all. Why would you risk your fortunes? You were men of means; well educated; had money, but you signed the pledge and paid quite a price for this freedom.
I don’t believe we would do that today. We’ve become sophisticated . . . we’re a modern culture now. (???)
And for certain, fifty-six signatures would not be kept secret. Today, there would be a race to see who would name you first on the evening news.
Today we don’t seem to understand the seriousness of “fighting for our freedom.” I’m not sure that we even study your cause and sacrifice anymore, for I’m not certain that it got voted on at the last school textbook meeting.
Nor do I think we understand the seriousness of what it would be to lose it. Some don’t believe it’s possible and others have no idea what life would be like.
But you men put together and signed a document that would ensure my life, liberty, and pursuit of happiness. Well, with that kind of commitment, why do I believe it could be taken from us?
It was a gift you gave to Americans, but no one seems to want to celebrate for that reason. I’m not sure we look at it as a gift . . . to many it’s an entitlement.
You gentlemen wouldn’t believe the mockery we’ve made of that piece of parchment. When some stand in the streets and burn our flag, they might as well cut out my heart. When our soldiers are called fools, it rips at my very soul.
Today you would be jeered and laughed at for your heroics . . . no one would think much of your valiant effort. You can order up patriotism if it suits you, but if not, a video game will do.
Mr. Jefferson, I’m ashamed to tell you what’s going on in America today. Would that you could tap us on the shoulder and give us a good kick in the seat of the pants, to remind us again of the sacrifice you made for freedom.
First of all, dear sirs, I want to thank you. Thank you for your submission to a great and mighty God. Many of your comments are recorded in the annals of history, but not everyone wants to hear the words prescribed for all of us in reverence to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Today it’s called “wearing your religion on your sleeve.” In your day, it was your life; your very essence of being.
Politicians today are accused of calling on the name of God as a platform for political advantage. It’s been inferred that leaders are using it as a “mandate, rather than a responsibility, and believe there is a profound difference.”
Now, this is where I need your help, dear sirs.
I would argue that calling on Almighty God is a mandate from God. The Bible clearly states in 2 Chronicles 7:14-15: “If my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. Now my eyes will be open and my ears attentive to the prayers offered in this place.”
Well, it’s certainly a mandate if you’re looking for strength and protection from the Almighty God. After that kind of directive, it does become a responsibility . . . but the two go hand in hand . . . there is no profound difference.
It’s all part of God’s plan in what God expects of His people.
Today you men would be accused of wearing your religion on your sleeve, but thank God you did.
Our first President, George Washington said, “Direct my thought, words and work, wash away my sins in the immaculate Blood of the Lamb, and purge my heart by Thy Holy Spirit . . . . Daily frame me more and more into the likeness of Thy Son Jesus Christ.”
That doesn’t sound like a sleeve . . . it sounds like full armor.
Sirs, I’ve listened to vocal reproductions of your prayers. I’ve read your “callings out” to God, and I have to believe the mantle of justice and righteousness was placed on your shoulders to do a great and mighty work in His name . . . and His name only.
Where did we go astray? You had a heart for God; you had a passion for America, and it was your trust in a Divine power that gave you such resoluteness to go forward against all odds to bring forth a new nation . . . a process by which we would be free.
But with there being such a deep conviction in your soul that it was all from God, how did we ever get off course? Because now, gentlemen, there are Americans . . . yes sirs, Americans who have decided there is no place for God in this land of ours.
If that’s what it’s called, may we somehow learn to once again wear the armor of God “on our sleeves,” . . . let it be our “business attire,” our “Friday casual,” and may we not get dressed to meet the day without it.
Ronald Reagan said it best, “The time has come to turn to God and reassert our trust in Him for the healing of America . . . . Our country is in need of and ready for a spiritual renewal.”
God Bless Us and Happy Birthday America!
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