George Washington
The Courage of Washington
With leadership comes great responsibility. One might believe the calling to greatness automates the correct responses and actions required from that person. However, just as one chooses to love, one must choose to yield body and soul in order to yield the destiny of the future. Often, when society faces great opposition, man chooses to act upon his God given convictions as he relates them to the hurts of people. One such man was George Washington. Preparing for greatness every step of the way, Washington developed God graced courage and humility through every crisis that he faced as he lead the colonial people to freedom and stature among the nations of the world. It is evident that character mattered to Washington even at a young age. Stories of him cutting down a cherry tree and being unable to lie about it show that he revered authorities in his life. His Anglican tutor and mother instilled morality and spirituality within him. Also, with his father passing at age eleven, Washington probably felt a responsibility to adhere to the truth he was given and to follow along the path that was placed before him. He learned the importance of worship and the fear of God that are clearly seen in his prayers and actions before his troops. Many cases of Divine protection over Washington’s life caused him to conclude that he was to be spared for an important purpose. When he was still fifteen Washington wrote 110 “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” Rule ten shows the value that he places on character: “Labor to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire called Conscience.” (xx) Washington held his convictions throughout his life in public and private. At Washington’s funeral, Henry Lee spoke of Washington’s character:
First in war-first in peace-and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble endearing scenes of private life; pious,
With leadership comes great responsibility. One might believe the calling to greatness automates the correct responses and actions required from that person. However, just as one chooses to love, one must choose to yield body and soul in order to yield the destiny of the future. Often, when society faces great opposition, man chooses to act upon his God given convictions as he relates them to the hurts of people. One such man was George Washington. Preparing for greatness every step of the way, Washington developed God graced courage and humility through every crisis that he faced as he lead the colonial people to freedom and stature among the nations of the world. It is evident that character mattered to Washington even at a young age. Stories of him cutting down a cherry tree and being unable to lie about it show that he revered authorities in his life. His Anglican tutor and mother instilled morality and spirituality within him. Also, with his father passing at age eleven, Washington probably felt a responsibility to adhere to the truth he was given and to follow along the path that was placed before him. He learned the importance of worship and the fear of God that are clearly seen in his prayers and actions before his troops. Many cases of Divine protection over Washington’s life caused him to conclude that he was to be spared for an important purpose. When he was still fifteen Washington wrote 110 “Rules of Civility and Decent Behavior in Company and Conversation.” Rule ten shows the value that he places on character: “Labor to keep alive in your Breast that Little Spark of Celestial fire called Conscience.” (xx) Washington held his convictions throughout his life in public and private. At Washington’s funeral, Henry Lee spoke of Washington’s character:
First in war-first in peace-and first in the hearts of his countrymen, he was second to none in the humble endearing scenes of private life; pious,