Frustration

Frustration is a peculiar thing. It can build up and build up to where the thing that you are frustrated by can seem to envelope your world. This has been true with me lately. Two things have been really frustrating to me of late...Work and Politics. Each for there own reason they have been, well, frustrating to me. I could probably write a complete entry on just how mad and frustrated I am over Congress lately. But I won't.
Instead I want to focus on how, particularly at this time of year, we should look past the frustration at what really matters.
Are you healthy? Do you have a home? Do you have a job? Do you have friends? Do you have family who love you and care about you? Do you have Freedom...freedom to chose what you want to eat...freedom to chose what you want to wear.....freedom to chose where you live, how you work, what you do....Freedom to chose who you pray to, if you will pray?
These are only a few of the real questions we should be asking and concerned about. I am sooo grateful..grateful for what I have. Frustration can sometimes rob us of this.
Frustration is like mistakes. Easy to focus on at the expense of everything else. We need to take great care not to define others by their mistakes or the situation by the frustration we feel during it.
Today I have had to step back several times...take a deep breath...exhale....and remember I can let this define me or not. I can let frustration at others, my perception of their incompetence, ruin my day or not.
We have all heard the story of George Washington crossing the Delaware in December. Remember the picture...we all have seen it. George Washington standing majestically at the bow of the boat, tri-cornered hat upon his head. Gazing forward in triumphant glory.
Most don't know the whole story.
The Continental Army had suffered several defeats over the preceding months, once literally escaping between enemy ships while crossing the east river, after they had abandoned all artillery and most of their supplies. Twice forced to leave their food behind. The Army suffering disease and death and desertion dropping from a force of 6,000 men in August to 2,500 men in December. Half of them with no shoes and clothes threadbare. Infested with body lice, sleeping in manure to keep warm as it decomposes, eating nothing for days and then anything that would come their way. This is the scene leading up to this assault across the Delaware.
Washington had planned a last ditch effort to over take the German mercenaries in New Jersey and the British troops stationed North of them. He had to do this, because as of January 1st most of his Army's enlistments were up and the Army would disband and the Revolution would be over. He literally had to risk everything in order to hopefully get a victory to inspire his men to reenlist so the war for freedom could then continue. The password for that night, to distinguish friend from foe....Victory or Death! Chosen on purpose to motivate the men as to the dire situation the Army and Revolution were in.
So, you had a starving, sick, threadbare Army with little supplies, going up against a well fed, well supplied defensively positioned enemy. Who were considered among the best soldiers in the world.
George Washington planned that the Continental Army would start moving out December 25th, cross the river, and attack the enemy in the middle of the night catching them by surprise. He supposed this was the only way they could possibly stand even a remote chance of victory. He himself planned to die that night.
December 25th came, and with it a growing darkening sky. By the time the troops were to start crossing the river it was a full blizzard, a true Nor-east er was blowing. The river now had large ice blocks floating down it. The roads had turned to freezing slimy mud as bare foot soldiers marched along it. Everyone, including Washington's staff, thought the attack would be called off. The weather was too fierce, too bad, too cold for a threadbare Army with no shoes. It would take several additional hours to cross in this weather, unplanned for hours. Frustrating hours.
Indeed, Washington received news that a third of the attacking Army, stationed 40 miles to the south would not be crossing and engaging the enemy because of the storm.
Now there would be even fewer men! Frustratingly fewer. Dangerously fewer.
What frustration filled this scene. All thought God against them. All but one. Washington prayed to God and thanked him for the storm. He saw in this storm a divinely delivered way that he could win this battle. Because NO ONE thought anyone would be out on a night such as this.
So as freezing, starving, bare foot men, marched. Crossing an icy river. Dragging 1 and 2 ton cannons into and out of boats. Along muddy roads. Slipping, breaking bones, crushing feet. Frustration ever present. Moving slowly...too slowly, much too slowly for the sun would be up soon. A commander found grace in the freezing snow and gave thanks for it. He would not let frustration win the fight or rule the night. He did his part and kept moving forward. While an enemy thought all was calm. No one would be out on a night like this.
We all know the rest!
I have had to remember this story today! To put things in perspective.....the right perspective. Remember the questions I asked earlier? Are you loved? I am. Do I have Freedom? Yes. Will I get to chose what I eat today? Yes. Am I warm? Yes.
Thanks be to GOD!