Abraham Lincoln has crafted a
personality that projects him beyond Gettysburg Address. His sense of responsibility
and care embellishes his personality. His 1864 letter to Mrs. Bixby, a bereaved
mother of five sons who were thought to have died while fighting during the
American Civil War shows a true sense of responsibility.
Dear
Madam,
I
have been shown in the files of the War Department a statement of the Adjutant
General of Massachusetts that you are the mother of five sons who have died
gloriously on the field of battle. I feel how weak and fruitless must be any
word of mine which should attempt to beguile you from the grief of a loss so
overwhelming. But I cannot refrain from tendering you the consolation that may
be found in the thanks of the Republic they died to save. I pray that our
Heavenly Father may assuage the anguish of your bereavement, and leave you only
the cherished memory of the loved and lost, and the solemn pride that must be
yours to have laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom.
Yours,
very sincerely and respectfully,
A.
Lincoln
I have
seen leaders censured for showing no concern about the plight of their
subordinates. Recently a leader was seriously lampooned on social media over
outrageous comments that disparaged a certain class of low income earners in
her country. The quality of a true leader is not about the promises made to
his/her followers, but the degree of care and support showed. There are several
leaders today, but there is a dearth of true leaders.
“Do to others as you would like them to do to you.” Luke 6:31
It’s
time to check yourself. Do you allow the above scripture guide you when leading
others? The place of love is missing today in leadership and there is an urgent
call for change. God’s placed you in that position to show love. Take a
decision to fulfil His purpose today.
