Great Examples

A few nights ago I was perusing some of the greatest speeches recorded and came across an address given by Theodore Roosevelt in 1903.  I was somewhat taken aback as I read it, at first because I didn't recognize that part of President Roosevelt's legacy was his oration abilities, but secondly (and more importantly), because what permeated through his words was the obvious strength of his character.  It was truly impressive to see that there was a time when Presidents of the United States called upon men to rise up and be men of strength, men of decency, and men of honor.  It seems to me that those times are becoming lost, where our leaders now are too afraid to mention anything that may be construed as religion, or they have no belief in God anyway and therefore steer clear of any mention of his Almighty hand in our lives.  As unfortunate as it is that we as a nation are losing sight of Him who blessed and created this great nation, I am grateful for the great men and women who built this country on a foundation of virtue and character and faith in God—I don't know a lot about the life and deeds of Teddy Roosevelt, but the one speech from which I am casting my judgment leads me to believe that he is one of those great men.

The entire address is a must-read, but I'm including a few excerpts that really underline the power of his message.

"I am not addressing weaklings, or I should not take the trouble to come here. I am addressing strong, vigorous men, who are engaged in the active hard work of life … Every man here knows the temptations that beset all of us in this world. At times any man will slip. I do not expect perfection, but I do expect genuine and sincere effort toward being decent and cleanly in thought, in word, and in deed…"I do not want to see Christianity professed only by weaklings; I want to see it a moving spirit among men of strength…

"There is always a tendency among very young men and among boys who are not quite young men as yet to think that to be wicked is rather smart; to think it shows that they are men. Oh, how often you see some young fellow who boasts that he is going to “see life,” meaning by that that he is going to see that part of life which it is a thousandfold better should remain unseen! I ask that every man here constitute himself his brother’s keeper by setting an example to that younger brother which will prevent him from getting such a false estimate of life. Example is the most potent of all things. If any one of you in the presence of younger boys, and especially the younger people of our own family, misbehave yourself, if you use coarse and blasphemous language before them, you can be sure that these younger people will follow your example and not your precept. It is no use to preach to them if you do not act decently yourself. You must feel that the most effective way in which you can preach is by your practice."

Those are powerful words to me.  I am especially moved by his talk of men being examples to our youth.  I wonder how disappointed and disgusted the former president would be to watch just 5 minutes of MTV or other similar television programming that is influencing the youth (and adults) of the world each and every day.  So many influences around us teach us to see that part of life that should at all costs remain unseen.

I feel extremely blessed that I have for my entire life been surrounded by great men and great examples that were always clean in speech and that lead virtuous lives.  Those examples have a real, immeasurable effect on countless people.  I am also grateful that I am still surrounded by great men, great leaders, great husbands, and great fathers.  I am surrounded by the type of men of which President Roosevelt spoke.  I am grateful beyond words that these great men are my closest friends.  Their great examples also make them my heros.  It is my hope and prayer that I can be one of these examples, especially to my four beautiful daughters.