What I Learned in our History Class

My 11-year-old grandson and I checked off “completed” by his home-school subjects one-by-one yesterday. I get to be his “substitute” teacher when His mom is away. The best part is I find that I learn as much as he does when we’re “in class”. Some of his curriculum (i.e., American History, geography, and reading) are interwoven in subject matter which ties an era together.

Presently, he is studying the 1850’s to the 1870’s which looks closely at our Country during turbulent, violent years between the North and the South that led to the deadly Civil War. We were appalled as we uncomfortably read about slavery and how divided the states were about being pro or anti-slavery. In 1863, President Lincoln proclaimed all persons held as slaves in states of the rebellion “forever free” by The Emancipation Proclamation.

We were both moved, as we read the true story of young Harriet Tubman who was born into slavery and finally escaped because of her strong will and courage. “Someday,’ she said, “I’m going to be free.” And, she was. Then, as we read from the book “Across Five Aprils”, I was literally brought to tears when we read this excerpt because it was just so close “to home” today:

Shadrach, with his large eyes grave with sympathy said, “I wonder what the President is thinking.” Jethro replied, “I guess Ole’ Abe has troubles over and above any of us.” “MR. Lincoln, Jeth.” He would remember the rebuke to the end of his days. He would remember, and he would feel ashamed at the memory, but still, he would wonder. People – smart people, one would suppose since they printed newspapers and drew pictures for them – spoke of the President as “the baboon,” “the ugly, ignorant, backwoods Lincoln,” and other names as vicious and expressive of hate. Under no circumstance would he, Jethro Creighton, show disrespect to the President. “I think a lot of Mr. Lincoln,” he stated in quiet self-defense after a while. “I know you do, Jeth.” “Lots of people don’t. I could name you people that hate him like poison.” “Not only in this neighborhood – not only in the South, either. It seems that people everywhere are criticizing him. The abolitionists hate him as much as the sympathizers of the South do. People blame him for the mistakes of his generals; and they’re just as bitter about his grammar, his appearance, his family.” “I’m no wise enough to measure Mr. Lincoln, Jeth; I just don’t know. But I have a feeling of confidence and faith in him that I can’t always justify. Sometimes I’m angered with him as others are; sometimes I can’t understand him. But somehow my faith in him always comes back.”

I know you must know what I was thinking as I read those words about the divided country and the animosity for its President, and as we all know, President Abraham Lincoln became one of the most beloved presidents of all times. It often feels like we live in the worst times as we daily watch the news of wars, various factions who love, hate, honor, dishonor, protest or pro-act. Since the beginning of time, there has been always been conflict. What do we do with it all in this year of 2018? I like to think that the final lines from that book state where we should be: “Somehow my faith in HIM ((I insert God, here) always comes back.” Placing our trust in the ONE who knew ALL back in the BC and AD, in the 1800’s and now, the 2000’s. He is still overseeing it all, and is at the helm of this great big wonderful, and oftentimes, troubled world.

I don’t know what to make of all the craziness in our world today. But I do know Who holds our todays and tomorrows, and who holds our hands through it all. “History is in-the-making” today for generations to come. Frankly, I want to claim my place in history. I hope to be one who believed in something so strongly that I made a difference. I like to live knowing that this world is not my home, and the history I made was doing the things that mattered on earth because it matters in heaven. Loving, giving, caring, being kind, tender-hearted, morally centered, loving God and my neighbor just might be the way to make history that really matters. Choosing which side of history we’ll be on should sure make us want to choose wisely.