Liberty and a Story of Letting Go

What is Liberty by Merriam Webster 1: liberty is the quality or state of being free: a: the power to do as one pleases b: freedom from physical restraint c: freedom from arbitrary or despotic (see DESPOT sense 1) control d: the positive enjoyment of various social, political, or economic rights and privileges e: the power of choice My heart is breaking for the people and Christians that have fought, died, and stood behind their beliefs. What are we doing? Where is America? She's hiding her face behind a mask of indecision and fear. People are fighting amongst themselves. Neighbors and friends, guilt-tripping, belittling, or reporting on each other because they have different opinions. No more trust or liberty. No more loyalty and NO leadership. I remember when men and women did not compromise on their beliefs, to appease the masses or their friends. I also remember when friends would not have asked someone to compromise on their beliefs, but no more. It seems if you don't agree, you don't belong. If you choose to be an individual with liberty, you are an outcast. Our silent heroes sing a mournful tune in hopes that the nation will awake. St. John's Church, Richmond, Virginia MARCH 23, 1775 MR. PRESIDENT: No man thinks more highly than I do of the patriotism, as well as abilities, of the very worthy gentlemen who have just addressed the House. But different men often see the same subject in different lights; and, therefore, I hope it will not be thought disrespectful to those gentlemen if, entertaining as I do, opinions of a character very opposite to theirs, I shall speak forth my sentiments freely, and without reserve. This is no time for ceremony. The question before the House is one of awful moment to this country. For my own part, I consider it as nothing less than a question of freedom or slavery; and in proportion to the magnitude of the subject ought to be the freedom of the debate. It is only in this way that we can hope to arrive at truth, and fulfil the great responsibility which we hold to God and our country. Should I keep back my opinions at such a time, through fear of giving offence, I should consider myself as guilty of treason towards my country, and of an act of disloyalty toward the majesty of heaven, which I revere above all earthly kings. Mr. President, it is natural to man to indulge in the illusions of hope. We are apt to shut our eyes against a painful truth, and listen to the song of that siren till she transforms us into beasts. Is this the part of wise men, engaged in a great and arduous struggle for liberty? Are we disposed to be of the number of those who, having eyes, see not, and, having ears, hear not, the things which so nearly concern their temporal salvation? For my part, whatever anguish of spirit it may cost, I am willing to know the whole truth; to know the worst, and to provide for it. I have but one lamp by which my feet are guided; and that is the lamp of experience. I know of no way of judging of the future but by the past. And judging by the past, I wish to know what there has been in the conduct of the British ministry for the last ten years, to justify those hopes with which gentlemen have been pleased to solace themselves, and the House? Is it that insidious smile with which our petition has been lately received? Trust it not, sir; it will prove a snare to your feet. Suffer not yourselves to be betrayed with a kiss. Ask yourselves how this gracious reception of our petition comports with these war-like preparations which cover our waters and darken our land. Are fleets and armies necessary to a work of love and reconciliation? Have we shown ourselves so unwilling to be reconciled, that force must be called in to win back our love? Let us not deceive ourselves, sir. These are the implements of war and subjugation; the last arguments to which kings resort. I ask, gentlemen, sir, what means this martial array, if its purpose be not to force us to submission? Can gentlemen assign any other possible motive for it? Has Great Britain any enemy, in this quarter of the world, to call for all this accumulation of navies and armies? No, sir, she has none. They are meant for us; they can be meant for no other. They are sent over to bind and rivet upon us those chains which the British ministry have been so long forging. And what have we to oppose to them? Shall we try argument? Sir, we have been trying that for the last ten years. Have we anything new to offer upon the subject? Nothing. We have held the subject up in every light of which it is capable; but it has been all in vain. Shall we resort to entreaty and humble supplication? What terms shall we find which have not been already exhausted? Let us not, I beseech you, sir, deceive ourselves. Sir, we have done everything that could be done, to avert the storm which is now coming on. We have petitioned; we have remonstrated; we have supplicated; we have prostrated ourselves before the throne, and have implored its interposition to arrest the tyrannical hands of the ministry and Parliament. Our petitions have been slighted; our remonstrances have produced additional violence and insult; our supplications have been disregarded; and we have been spurned, with contempt, from the foot of the throne. In vain, after these things, may we indulge the fond hope of peace and reconciliation. There is no longer any room for hope. If we wish to be free² if we mean to preserve inviolate those inestimable privileges for which we have been so long contending if we mean not basely to abandon the noble struggle in which we have been so long engaged, and which we have pledged ourselves never to abandon until the glorious object of our contest shall be obtained, we must fight! I repeat it, sir, we must fight! An appeal to arms and to the God of Hosts is all that is left us! They tell us, sir, that we are weak; unable to cope with so formidable an adversary. But when shall we be stronger? Will it be the next week, or the next year? Will it be when we are totally disarmed, and when a British guard shall be stationed in every house? Shall we gather strength by irresolution and inaction? Shall we acquire the means of effectual resistance, by lying supinely on our backs, and hugging the delusive phantom of hope, until our enemies shall have bound us hand and foot? Sir, we are not weak if we make a proper use of those means which the God of nature hath placed in our power. Three millions of people, armed in the holy cause of liberty, and in such a country as that which we possess, are invincible by any force which our enemy can send against us. Besides, sir, we shall not fight our battles alone. There is a just God who presides over the destinies of nations; and who will raise up friends to fight our battles for us. The battle, sir, is not to the strong alone; it is to the vigilant, the active, the brave. Besides, sir, we have no election. If we were base enough to desire it, it is now too late to retire from the contest. There is no retreat but in submission and slavery! Our chains are forged! Their clanking may be heard on the plains of Boston! The war is inevitable and let it come! I repeat it, sir, let it come. It is in vain, sir, to extenuate the matter. Gentlemen may cry, Peace, Peace but there is no peace. The war is actually begun! The next gale that sweeps from the north will bring to our ears the clash of resounding arms! Our brethren are already in the field! Why stand we here idle? What is it that gentlemen wish? What would they have? Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it, Almighty God! I know not what course others may take; but as for me, give me liberty or give me death! Source: Wirt, William. Sketches of the Life and Character of Patrick Henry . (Philadelphia) 1836, as reproduced in The World's Great Speeches, Lewis Copeland and Lawrence W. Lamm, eds., (New York) 1973. A Man's Story of Letting Go "Where is my family?" "I'm sorry, sir, but your family is not allowed in the hospital." "Then, I'm going home." "That's crazy talk." The man began unhooking his machines. "You can't do that. Your body needs those machines to heal." "Then let my family come." "Due to COVID-19, that's not possible." The man started ripping out his iv's before the nurses could stop him. "I am not the property of the state or this hospital," he stated as he continued to take out every needle. His body was weak, but his heart was strong.  The nurses paged for the doctor. "This man says he's leaving." One of the nurses stated upon the doctor's arrival. "Now, settle down, sir. Let's get you back to bed and hook these machines back up." The Doc said. "Not unless you send for my family." The doctor tried to use force after seeing that reasoning with the patient wasn't working. The man, however, grabbed one of the needles and carried it with him, swiping it at whoever came close. He also grabbed the metal bedpan to use as a weapon. Making it to the elevator, he took it down to the first floor where he saw the exit sign. The nurses and doctor were yelling at him to stop as he stepped outside.  "You will die in a matter of a few hours if you leave this hospital." The man slowly turned to full height and looked at each staff member. "I buried my wife last week because her cancer treatments stopped. If I die today, then it will be with the people I love, instead of cowering in an empty, cold hospital room." "You don't have permission, and I refuse to release you." The doctor stated. "You didn't give Jesus permission to be crucified, but he was, and you didn't tell the soldiers to fight, but they did. I'm not asking for your permission now, either. After all, we are 'one nation under God, indivisible, with Liberty.' The most important thing God ever gave me was salvation and time; Time I'm going to