“The steps of good men are directed by the Lord. He delights in each step they take” (Psalm 37:23-24 NLT).
“They have greatly oppressed me from my youth, but they have not gained the victory over me” (Psalm 129:2).
I was thinking about Valley Forge this past Tuesday. The images of Washington’s rag-tag Continental Army, still reeling from the effects of two successive defeats at the hands of the British Army, suffering through the winter of 1777 with little provisions and poor morale, seemed right in line with what my little company has been experiencing in one of our markets this year. In need of boots and reinforcements, my little team in Texas has days that can only be described as wretched.
We are suffering from a shortage of manpower in Texas. Too few people makes for extremely long hours for employees, occasional short-tempers, and a sense of becoming the hamster on the treadmill—running really, really fast, and still going nowhere.
But on Tuesday past, even the treadmill seemed to come off its hinges. A trusted and valuable manager called and resigned, effective immediately, essentially saying “too damn bad” when I implored him to at least work with us during a transition.
Yesterday, a good friend of mine told me my blogs always seem to have happy endings. Of course, he knows about my struggles in Texas and work issues that confront me on a daily basis, such as feeling helpless when sales are sluggish and our ability to pay all of our bills on time cannot be met. “Perhaps,” he offered, “readers would like to know your path is not always littered with roses.”
Reflecting on his observation, I opined my essential character traits are ones of encouragement and hope, and my Christian faith is the source. I reckoned that for me to write differently would be as difficult as trying to write a novel about child abuse—something so abhorrent that my mind won’t contemplate its horror.
Continuing our dialogue, my friend reminded me that a number of psalms cry out in pathos and distress over life circumstances, but the psalmist still rejoices in the hope of a righteous God who defends and protects the oppressed and weak. The psalms offer hope while acknowledging life is not fair or always beautiful.
I believe hope is the distinguishing characteristic of Christians. Non-Christians can be moral; they can be self-sacrificing and giving to others; and they can lead exemplary lives. But without God, a non-Christian’s “hope” for their and their loved-one’s lives, their dreams and the dreams of those they love, attempt to find solid footing on mists and vapors. Remember the scene in the movie Signs where Mel Gibson is describing two types of people? One type believes God is in charge, the other type believes no one is in charge. In dire situations, the non-believer is faced with chance for outcomes. Joaquin Phoenix’s character decides to believe in a God who will preserve and protect. I love that scene.
But for clarity, and with a respectful nod to my friend, let me say that the situation in Texas is difficult for me, my team, and my company. It grieves me that so many people are frustrated over turning the situation we are in around. Seeing a young and competent manager quit abruptly and knowing he could not have felt good about how he chose to leave really wounded me. I was disappointed, hurt, and sorrowful, and simultaneously still felt compassion for his choice that will bear poor fruit for him somewhere down the line.
Hence, Valley Forge was on my mind. But here is where the analogy takes a hopeful turn.
According to Kennedy Hickman (About.com, American Revolution: Winter at Valley Forge), there is more to the story of Washington’s Valley Forge experience than I recalled—much more. Mr. Hickman informs that the troops were not as ill-equipped to face the winter as our common memories would suggest. Conditions were harsh, but the Army was no less well provisioned than other regiments. In fact, Washington found a way to gain provisions through foraging activities and lobbying the Continental Congress. Most of the lives lost were due to an outbreak of illness that occurred in the spring of 1778.
But here is where it gets interesting. Not only did the army survive the winter, they were also able to procure the services of Baron Friedrich Wilhelm von Steuben, a former member of the Prussian General Staff, who ably and capably trained Washington’s army such that when spring came, the army stood up well against the British at Barren Hill and the Battle of Monmouth. Von Steuben also helped with improving the sanitary conditions of the camp that had contributed to illness among the troops.
Von Steuben approached training by selecting a core group of 100 soldiers who were rigorously trained. They, in turn, trained other units, multiplying the effectiveness of the training and building morale. Hickman notes the Continental Army came away from Valley Forge more formidable and capable.
Thanks to Mr. Hickman, Valley Forge is now a part of my “hopeful” mind. I pray for a Von Steuben to step forward and help us find our way out of the morass that has us mired down. I will continue to do my part, although my part seems precious little to me. And I cry out to God, just as the Psalmists did, to rescue us and prove that we are not just rearranging the deck furniture on the Titanic.
I bleed with my troops, but I do not give up hope.
Hospitality is an honorable business. I love what I do. I persevere in the face of difficulty, and look forward to God’s hand in securing a change in the course of this little war. He is capable to do that, and I know He watches me.