Words of Wisdom from a Very Special Friend

I met Jean Tate Howard just as she turned a very young 84 years. She was one of my first Legacy writing students. She wrote and spoke much wisdom into my life and into the lives of the other students in my class. The ladies from that first class would not stop writing and after five years we are still meeting. However, we have lost our dear Jean to heaven. While cleaning out Jean’s home, her son, Pat, found some of Jean’s latest writings. He asked me to share these words with you, which I am so honored to do.

Jean wrote:

I am a senior citizen on the wrong side of 75. I have seen many changes in my lifetime. I was born and raised in the South, and as I grew up, I saw many inequities and much prejudice. As I have grown older and older, I have read quite a bit about the Civil War. What a sad, awful time to have lived through. It nearly destroyed our nation and took so many lives and wounded so many others in body, mind and spirit. But right-thinking people at great personal sacrifice could think of nothing but the importance of the union of this great country. Even in the South, there were those southerners who had the foresight to see how tragic a nation divided would be.

I read in today’s paper that our nation is again divided over this upcoming election. We must, with our God-given privilege as free Americans think hard about the future of this country. Is it wisdom to “change horses in the middle of the stream”? The old timers didn’t think so. That’s where the axiom originated!

Ask yourselves, how would Washington or Jefferson vote if they were here now? What would their stand be? Would they go to the polls and put the welfare and unity of their great country first? They fought for it. Should we?

“One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”

Let this be our objective—not anger or pettiness.jean1

 

This is where my friend ended her writing. Almost 90 years old, Jean Howard had seen so much history—some awesome history of a country struggling to maintain strength and dignity. She was proud to be an American and as a prayer warrior, she prayed for our leaders often. I have to agree with my dear friend; we must let this be our only objective: “One nation, under God, indivisible with liberty and justice for all.”

Go to the polls this week and vote for unity. Thank you, Jean, for these parting words.

Photo Credit: Dawn Brockmeier

Categories Legacy, Legacy Writing Prompts | Tags: , , , , , | Posted on November 3, 2016

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1 Comment

  1. by Elizabeth Pavlov

    On November 3, 2016

    Thank you Judy, our wonderful teacher and Sister in Christ.

    I felt Jean right here with me when I read her piece about the election.
    Her smile came through as well.
    Often, during Legacy we spoke about our country. It concerned her greatly.
    I know she stood for the unborn children and the right to life.

    Jean, GOD IS IN CONTROL. That’s all that matters.
    His Word is Sovereign and does not fail.
    We all belong to Him and HE IS GOOD.

    I can’t wait to see what He does with this election.
    People across this nation are fasting and praying until November 8th.
    AWAKEN! Brothers and Sisters in Christ, please do the same!

    The Lord said, “I have seen the misery of my people…
    So I have come down to rescue them.” Exodus 3: 7-8
    After He does this, will history repeat itself?
    Will we turn from Him, once again, and choose a human or worse-
    a fallen angel, to lead us?
    Or, will we stand beside the modern day Moses, give thanks with all our hearts,
    and obey the Lord?

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