Stand for America®
Patriotism and Wisdom are Won, Standing United.


God and General Patton
 © 2013 Gregg Zegarelli

It has been said that prayer is our heart speaking to us.  Or, maybe, that the Kingdom of God is within us.  I don't know if that is true, generally, as I cannot see the heart or inside of any other person to judge, but I think I pulled the "Patton Card" on God personas. 

My wife tells me that I'm wrong, and that God does not sound like General Patton.  But I'm telling you, and it is true, that God sounds like Patton, to me.  My wife says that God has a soft and comforting voice, a voice of peace and tranquility.  That is what she hears, anyway.

I suppose that it must necessarily be true that God communicates with each of us, in a manner of our respective cognizance.  I am not sure if it is just me or God, since the two are entwined, I suppose.  But, when I think to myself, or pray as some may understand it, I hear the following type of response... 

Let me give an example of the conversation with God, such as God communicates with me. 

I am on my way home, driving from work...

Me: Wow, I've had a hard day. 

God: What?  Are you kidding me?  A hard day.  Look around.  Quit your whining. 

Yes, Sir.  But, if life were only a bit easier...

If I had a glove, I would slap you.  Soldiers stand.  Soldiers march.  Soldiers endure risk and bullets, and injury and death, every day.  What did you risk?

What did you have for dinner last night, and lunch today?

Well, my wife made fajitas last night and I had a turkey sandwich for lunch.

A fajita?  Did I hear that right?  Are you kidding me?  And, a nice turkey sandwich?  Are you kidding me?

Are you sitting?

Yes.

Look, Son, I call a lot of soldiers, but only a few are chosen.  The road to destruction is always easy.  It is always easy to slide downhill, and while yelling "weee."  Do you want to be destroyed, Son?

Why, Sir, no Sir.

Climb the mountain, Son.  Do you want to be one of the chosen few.

Sir.  Yes Sir.

Do you believe that you have what it takes?

Sir.  I think so, Sir.

No, "thinks so's."  You have to believe, and you have to act.  Believe me, Son, I know you have it in you; you can do it.

Sir.  Yes Sir.  Yes, General -- I mean, Yes, Lord --

So, what are you going to do when you get home.

Watch some TV, maybe.

Are you kidding me?

Jog, Son.  Train.  Contemplate the world, like the magnificence of a single blade of grass.  Write a learned article.  A day is coming when I need you to be ready.  Do you think your spirit, body and mind are separate or a related unified whole.

Well, I suppose, a related whole.

That's right, Son.  Train your mind, train your body and train your spirit. 

[I can actually feel the tapping on my gut...]

Look at that gut on you, Son.  Do you think that is what I intend for you, as human being?  Do soldiers have a gut like that?  I offer you an orange, full of vitamins, complex carbohydrates, an action-packed natural supplement, and you toss it aside for a Coke.  Are you kidding me?

Son, the rooms get bigger if you live smaller.  Do you see it?

Yes, Sir, I understand now, Sir.  Thank you, Sir.

So, what are you going to do?  Tell me.

I will improve my mind, body and soul.  I will stop whining.

Now, you've got the A+ attitude, Son, and I'm proud of you.  Now, you're on my team.  Now, do what you know, and I'll choose you.  Belief is only half the battle, Son; the other half is action.  Belief is only the seed, Son.  You've still got to endure the pain and responsibility of watering the tree.  Are you going to do it, Son?

Sir, yes Sir.  Thank you, Sir.

Now, train.  Be brave, and endure.  Do what I need you to do.  Stand ready, and know that, any soldier carrying the flag is the most likely to die, but, with love of God and country compelling, assumes the risk and continues forward.  Do you understand?

Sir, yes Sir.

Good man.  Carry on.

By this time, I arrive home, ready and re-energized. 

Me: Hi Sweetie, my lovely wife.  How was your day?

Wife: Wow, I've had a really hard day.

Well, think of it this way: we have a roof over our heads, a washer, dryer, refrigerator with an ice cube maker.  We're not in the dirt with stomachs bloated from hunger with flies biting our skin; we're not running from dinosaurs, and we're not getting our legs sawed off like the soldiers in the Civil War.

Wife: What?  Did I hear you right?  Civil War?  Are you kidding me?

And, I hear that voice again:

PSST.  Discretion is the better part of valor.

Well, Sweetie, how about a nice bath?

                                                                         -- Gregg Zegarelli
 

* The name of the publication is derived from a special publication of The Entrepreneurial Spirit,® entitled, "I Stand for America." The purpose of this publication is to provide a reflection upon the intersection of character, values, wisdom and traditional patriotism in the United States of America.  Did you miss an issue?  Click here.

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