Day 25: Gentle Strength

1770 found this country and many of its citizens precariously drawn between loyalty to the Crown and the God-given liberties burning within their breasts. Thomas Paine wrote, "These are the times that try men's souls." Tried they were, from a monarchy issuing countless abuses and regulations an ocean away. I realized today that that year saw the following ladies of liberty at rather tender ages:

Abigail Smith Adams, wife of John Adams--25 years old
Martha Washington, wife of George Washington--39 years old
Martha Jefferson, wife of Thomas Jefferson--21 years old
Elizabeth Wells Adams, second wife of Samuel Adams--35 years old

These were not women of the world--they were nurturing, supportive wives and mothers who held down their homesteads allowing their husbands as John Adams said to, "study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy."

These women farmed the land, fled mobbers, bore children, buried children, sewed clothes for the naked, housed the sick, taught their children, educated themselves on the day's issues, fought off disease with broomsticks and brushes, on and on and on. . . basically they, "fixed it up, wore it out, made it do, or did without" to the last possible measure.

They were strong. And they were gentle. They rocked the adversary's kingdom while rocking their babes cradles. They silenced the foe and paved the way for the establishment of this most blessed nation with lullabies and prayers. God bless them forever for it.

I am so grateful that I have their example to look to as we face these times that try our souls. Satan knows if he gets the girl he wins because, "The hand that rocks the cradle rules the world" (William Ross Wallace).

"The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender. There are enough women who are coarse; we need women who are kind. There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined. We have enough women of fame and fortune; we need more women of faith. We have enough greed; we need more goodness. We have enough vanity; we need more virtue. We have enough popularity; we need more purity."
-Margaret D. Naudald

We are going to win the war with lullabies and prayers.