“I learned that courage was not the absence of fear, but the triumph over it. The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear.” –Nelson Mandela

“When a good man dies, a library burns down!” –Ken Gallacher’s Dad

My father passed away last year. We have just passed his birthdate. He would have been 94 years old. I cannot access his input today and I miss it.

One thing I miss about my Dad was his clear-sightedness. He was unwavering in his ability to see the right thing to do, and not only see it, but to do something about it. He did not hesitate, but just plowed on ahead. Undaunted by the difficulty or the effort, he just got it done. And he did not make an announcement of what he had done. Doing the right thing was the reward in itself.

That steely willingness to do what is needed, no matter what, is so needed today.

I am so tired of the “what’s in it for me?” reasoning. I am so tired of people holding their finger to the wind to determine which way popular opinion is blowing.

Sadly, we have become a nation peopled with wimps and scaredy-cats with fragile little egos that will not tolerate anyone who doesn’t agree with them.

“Don’t you DARE judge me!” is the order of the day, yet those same people will slam anyone who does not adhere to their way of thinking.

My Dad was never afraid to confront what he knew was wrong. He was not a busybody. He minded his own business. If he had to take a stand, he was not cruel, he was not a bully, he never looked to injure anyone, but he stood for what he believed in and never failed to defend it.

May we learn to step up as well!

Our treasured freedoms and the framework of law and order are being overrun.

Confrontation or capitulation are our only options.

May we confront with clear and sober strength and wisdom.

Isaiah 41:10, New International Version (NIV): “So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”