Today’s title of today’s blog is inspired by the movie True Grit. I have always enjoyed this movie. Beside it having John Wayne, the protagonist was a girl who endures personal challenges with courage and spoke. So I would like to discuss what may be our aspects of grit for the 21st century. I hope today’s lesson can be of use to youth ministries, family counselors, family devotionals and family home evenings.
Our challenges of today may not be the same as those shared in centuries or decades past. When I think of physical challenges, my mind often touches upon the challenges of people leaving their homelands in Europe and other parts of the world to cross the treacherous ocean to a new land of America. Once here, they had contend the elements of nature to start a new life. They often had to learn a new language and adopt a new country.
It’s wonderful to hear stories of people who possess such strength and endurance. One of the reasons I am so interested in the founding of our country is I get to hear accounts of great courage. One example is how the colonial armies suffered long bouts of inadequate food, clothing and an lack of ammunition during their fight. Another example is of the Mormon pioneers who crossed the plains in search of religious freedom. Many of them were weak from lack of food, or weary, from traveling over 1100 miles to Utah. Plus they had to contend against the elements until they reached their destination.
I have heard some wonderful things about the movie, 42. It touches upon an African-American who had to face persecution and hardship as a new member of the baseball team. Yet he persevered through it all.
We have some wonderful examples of integrity and courage, what is coming more in the public eye are increasing reports of greed and corruption. I remember a friend who was in $50,000 of debt because her son used her good credit to gamble online. It was far more important that he satisfied his wants at the cost of his own mother’s survival. I’ve heard in the news of family members sponging off their parents making them destitute for their own satisfactions. I’ve heard of the suffering of children because of the abuse of a parent. Thank goodness not all children have to endure this from their parents. I’ve heard of people that will call old retired people over the phone and scam them of their retirement money. There are identity thieves that will milk people’s personal finances as quickly as they are able.
There are people that will take advantage of others, charity and compassion for their own benefit. Apparently one of the reasons many church and government organizations encourage people to donate to food banks and charitable organizations over giving money to panhandlers, is because some of the panhandlers are not being completely honest in their need. Something that I learned today is that apparently a certain group of panhandlers will arrive in a van at a store be dropped off, and spend several hours asking for money. The van will come by and pick them up and rotate them to different store. The play the system. I’ve heard several personal accounts where people under hard circumstances will have children or infants in their presence. They will buy liquor for themselves over food for their child. These examples of addiction of gambling and alcohol can be addressed in a separate blog.
It brings to light for me the necessity of the phrase “trust but verify”. I am a very gullible person. There’s been a few times I’ve been ‘taking advantage of’ because of it. It has cost me quite a lot of money throughout the years. Many of you have probably had similar experiences.
To me, it looks like our necessity of needing true grit is for moral character. Just giving something a pretty name does not mean it right. It looks like that people who want to maintain Christian values are being persecuted more openly. If we let it happen, then the persecution will increase. Blacks around the world were enslaved because others of moral character let it happen. I enjoyed the movie, Amazing Grace, because it gave me a better perspective of the fight in England to stop slavery. Some people will say they have the right to say and do what they want, except when it comes to the right of expression for those who feel that certain behaviors or against God’s law.
The invitation, I have for myself and others who may be interested, is for us to have the courage to stand up for what is right. To be willing to work hard, even when there is an opportunity to sponge off somebody else. It makes me realize I need to be more observant of my actions and words. We may be having a new civil rights campaign rise in his head. That people that want to maintain and have the ability to express their religious beliefs, should have the freedom to do so. They have just as much right to express themselves as those that may not believe in God or believe the sin is acceptable.
I admire people who may boldly state that they disagree with somebody, but maintain the right, that the people they disagree with should have the freedom to express themselves.
Just some for us to consider, thanks.
If you have comments to share, please feel free to do so. Thank you.
