Paine and more Pain

THESE are the times that try men's souls. 
The summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of their country; but he that stands by it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and woman. Tyranny, like hell, is not easily conquered; yet we have this consolation with us, that the harder the conflict, the more glorious the triumph. What we obtain too cheap, we esteem too lightly: it is dearness only that gives every thing its value. Heaven knows how to put a proper price upon its goods; and it would be strange indeed if so celestial an article as FREEDOM should not be highly rated. Britain, with an army to enforce her tyranny, has declared that she has a right (not only to TAX) but "to BIND us in ALL CASES WHATSOEVER" and if being bound in that manner, is not slavery, then is there not such a thing as slavery upon earth. Even the expression is impious; for so unlimited a power can belong only to God. Whether the independence of the continent was declared too soon, or delayed too long, I will not now enter into as an argument; my own simple opinion is, that had it been eight months earlier, it would have been much better. We did not make a proper use of last winter, neither could we, while we were in a dependent state. However, the fault, if it were one, was all our own; we have none to blame but ourselves. But no great deal is lost yet . . . I have as little superstition in me as any man living, but my secret opinion has ever been, and still is, that God Almighty will not give up a people to military destruction, or leave them unsupportedly to perish, who have so earnestly and so repeatedly sought to avoid the calamities of war, by every decent method which wisdom could invent. . .
There are cases which cannot be overdone by language, and this is one. There are persons, too, who see not the full extent of the evil which threatens them; they solace themselves with hopes that the enemy, if he succeed, will be merciful. It is the madness of folly, to expect mercy from those who have refused to do justice; and even mercy, where conquest is the object, is only a trick of war; the cunning of the fox is as murderous as the violence of the wolf, and we ought to guard equally against both.. . I thank God, that I fear not. I see no real cause for fear. I know our situation well, and can see the way out of it. . . By perseverance and fortitude we have the prospect of a glorious issue; by cowardice and submission, the sad choice of a variety of evils — a ravaged country — a depopulated city — habitations without safety, and slavery without hope — our homes turned into barracks and bawdy-houses, and a future race to provide for, whose fathers we shall doubt of. Look on this picture and weep over it! and if there yet remains one thoughtless wretch who believes it not, let him suffer it unlamented.
 -Thomas Paine, The Crisis

Dear Friends and Family,

Thank you for joining me these past 40 days as I counted down toward the re-election of our President.  I have benefited greatly from striving to daily share thoughts worthy of your time, and only hope that you too have been blessed.  I will work on creating a separate blog where these posts can be found like I did with my Attitude of Gratitude should you care to refer back to them. 

Having said that, let us have some straight talk.

I was discouraged and disheartened last night.  Perhaps some of you can relate.  The climate of my soul felt very much like the weather outside my window: cold, overcast, and dark.  I felt very small and very alone.  Thankfully, I awakened to a new day, and found incredible hope and reassurance in my morning scripture study session.  If you find yourself struggling as I did, let me share with you "a reason of the hope that is in [me]" (1 Peter 3:15)


This talk:



And Alma 24-the Anti-Nephi-Lehi's.

Study these two things with a view of the day's happenings in your mind's eye.  Ponder it--the answer is there. Those with eyes will see, those with ears will hear.  We need valor and courage now more than ever.  Remember, our faith is not grounded in a man, or an office--it is centered in Christ and Christ is in control. Fear not what man can do.  May we have malice toward none, charity for all, and be banded together in mutually pledging our lives, our fortunes and our sacred honor in continuing the Constitutional course. 

May God bless us! 

Hillary Calaway