The lights were out and we were all gathered together, sprawled out on the bunk beds, diving into the bedtime story, reading by the light from our headlamps.
It was a riveting tale of soldiers, courage, danger and espionage; something for every young boy.
I read the story with great drama, excited that all three were captivated by the tale of a young soldier hoping to serve her country by volunteering to become one of the first spies in United States history.
For thirty minutes, we read about the girl’s struggles as a young woman with an abusive childhood, her difficulties leading her to becoming a runaway, and finally the decision to disguise herself as a boy and join the army. The turning point came when she discovered that her best friend had been killed in the Civil War, provoking her to become a spy.
As we talked about the danger of spying and how captured spies were often killed, the boys’ eyes got bigger and bigger and they edged closer and closer to my side.
Finally one asked, “But, why would the Yankees kill someone?”
“Well, honey, this was war. Terrible things happen in war.”
“But, how would the Yankees do it? With bats?”
“No. I believe they would use their muskets and canons. That’s primarily what they used back then.”
“That’s not right. It’s not fair.”
“What do you mean?”
“To kill someone. Over a baseball game.”
“What? Oh… right. Okay, let’s go back to the beginning…”
My Own Yankee Confusions
The next day, I began thinking about how many times I have misunderstood, assuming something to be true only to be confused later.
As we take information into our world, we understand it based on our experiences, presumptions, and beliefs. But, what happens when we realize that some of those definitions or experiences are assumed or second-hand knowledge?
As a kid, I remember my father preaching and telling us to verify his teachings by studying out the scriptures for ourselves. “Don’t take my word for it,” he’d say. “Look it up. Study it out. See what the Bible has to say for yourself.”
As I’ve gone through my life gratefully following that wise advice, I’m continually overwhelmed by the joy in digging out truths through the dust and decay of my understanding. Sometimes, I discover that beliefs I had always known to be concrete, were not. At other times, I’m relieved when something I’ve always questioned becomes clear. Often, my study simply confirms the faith foundations that have been apart of my life for years.
Whatever the case may be, the image of stripped uniformed Yankees wading through swamps carrying muskets, baseballs and secret messages, will now be the wonderful trigger in my mind to make certain that my beliefs and understanding are complete, full and true.
Just one more reminder that I can’t leave my faith up to assumptions.
I mean, we all know what happens when we assume. :)
Ellen, cereal went up my nose when i read this.. very fuuny