THOUGHTS ON BATTLES
Battles are important events. Sometimes you win
the battle and lose the war; other times you lose a
battle but it plays a significant positive role in the final
outcome. Other times a battle maintains the status
quo. Sometimes we don't win even though the cause
is right.
Strategy v. sacrifice
In Kansas politics I have heard a lot about strategy,
having enough votes, not wanting to lose at a
particular juncture of time and those are valid points
most of the time. However, there are "times
that try men's souls" that require sacrifice and
uncertainty . . . in fact sometimes men and women
have died not knowing whether or not their cause will
prevail, but still pressing on because they knew their
cause was just.
What we remember
Who has not heard of the Alamo? Were those men
stupid to fight to the death? Today that little mission is
enshrined in American history while General Santa
Anna has faded into obscurity. What about the
famous raising of the flag at Iwo Jima? Were those
soldiers foolish? Think about the Battle of
Thermopylae where 300 men of Sparta held off the
Persian army? They lost the their lives but the war for
Persian supremacy was ultimately defeated because
of this battle. Persia spent itself and never again was
a world power after that. Were those men foolish to
protect the mountain pass? Did they die in vain?
Crucial battles
Other battles come to mind . . . Valley Forge,
Gettysburg, Bunker Hill, the Battle of the Coral Sea that
changed the momentum in the war against Japan. All
of these battles evoked tremendous losses . . . were
they for nothing? The Battle of Tours stopped the
Muslims from overrunning Europe centuries ago.
What would Western Civilization look like if that battle
had not been won?
Modern heroes and sacrifice
What about William Wilberforce who fought his whole
life to end slavery . . . or Martin Luther King for the civil
rights of all people . . . or Mother Teresa for the poor
and down-trodden of India? What about the
countless "little people" who continue to sacrifice and
pour out their lives for no gain? Christian love is about
sacrifice. Christianity is about righteousness. John
wrote in 1 John that a Christian can be known by three
tests: right doctrine, righteousness and love for his
brother. The Spirit of the Living God abides in us;
therefore our lives must look like His . . . did He fight
for righteousness? What about His sacrifice that
looked to the world like a defeat?
Fight for right
We cannot base our enjoining a battle on winning . . .
we must fight battles because they are for right and
just causes.
Roads
As Robert Frost wrote in his famous poem, "The Road
Not Taken" we come to cross-roads in our lives that
require choices. The road may look easy at the onset
but ends up in twists and turns and brambles at the
end. However the road that looks rocky and difficult
ends up being a grassy meadow and a pleasant walk
when completed.
The rule of law
America and Kansas are at such a cross-road;
either the law means something or it doesn't.
Kansas law is not being followed. Elected officials
either serve the people or themselves. Voters either
choose wisely or they suffer tyrannical rule. We
cannot have it both ways. Abortionist George Tiller
has a total of thirty misdemeanor counts against him
that were given probable cause by two judges. Yet
this battle will probably die before it ever gets started
because abortion is sacrosanct in Kansas. The issue
will die a silent and pitiful death . . . right along with the
innocent children. If you think it is worth protecting
children from rapists and women from exploitation - if
you think it is worth saving innocent babies - if you
think the battle is worth it, call your representative
immediately.
Think about it.
In Him,
Judy Smith
State Director
CONTACT INFORMATION:
There are several ways to contact your
Representative.
Contact information can be found at Kansas
Legislature Web site. Under "Hot Items," click
on "House Roster" or "Senate Roster," and it will list
all of the legislators with the district represented and
the e-mail address. When you click on the
name, it
displays the Topeka office room number and
phone
number, as well as home information.
The Capitol switchboard number is 785-296-
0111, X 7 AND THEN X 1.
Or find out who your legislators are and leave them a
message via the Legislative Hotline at 1-800-
432-3924.
Concerned Women for America of Kansas
P. O. Box 11233
Shawnee Mission, KS 66207
Phone/Fax: 913-491-1380
Email: director@kansas.cwfa.org
Web site: kansas.cwfa.org |