Last evening as I showed my husband a framed photo of a close up of Winston Churchill’s face I had received from a friend yesterday, it dawned on me that I had received two gifts from separate people related to Churchill in the same day. The other was a mini book, “The Quotable Churchill.” This coincidence started me pondering if there was any significance to be derived? Immediately, I remembered that Prime Minister Netanyahu spoke before a joint congress yesterday giving a strong pointed warning of any concessions given to Iran’s nuclear sanctions being lessened.

My interest in and love for Churchill was birthed through my maternal grandparents, John & Irene Ryan in the mid 90’s. Their respect and admiration for his overcoming spirit when being ostracized by his nation for years, to his legacy of leadership through WWII, peaked a curiosity in me. In 2002 I had the privilege of attending the International Churchill Society Conference in Anchorage. I sat amazed listening to Sir Martin Gilbert, Churchill’s official biographer, Lady Soames, Churchill’s youngest daughter, and others dialogue the statesmanship of this former world leader. Since that conference I have read numerous books about and by Churchill and have stood in his underground War Rooms.

We all need role models, heroes who inspire us to greatness through their courage and endurance in standing for righteousness with compassion for humanity. This mans life has influenced mine as I learned that he struggled with his schooling, fought through years of depression, was un-thwarted by ridicule and betrayal, and imbued his nation and allied nations with supernatural courage and hope to be victorious against all odds.

The need for statesman leaders in our day is just as paramount as in the the 1930’s and 40’s. Prime Minister Netanyahu’s bold speech yesterday is a clarion voice in a sea of ambiguity. Yesterdays gifts stir my soul as a reminder that each generation needs those who will be champions for righteousness in the face of intimidating opposition and evil forces. Who’s life inspires you as an example of fortitude, faith and sacrifice? I encourage you to dig from the deep wells of those whose moral compass will ennoble your heart to believe and act ensuring freedom for the generations coming after us. The ancient book states, “The righteous are as bold as a lion.”

“Courage is rightly esteemed the first of human qualities…. because it is the quality that guarantees all others.” WSC