Goliaths

Tonight was the recommitment night for Game Change at Xroads. I thought maybe we'd get some baptisms but no luck. Boo. I mean, I'm glad people got to commit money to the initiatives and all, but to be honest, Game Change isn't my main battle right now.

I'm glad Brian brought up the fact that we all have personal Goliaths we're facing too, because while I have troops on the Game Change battlefield, most of the hardcore battling got done when we started this thing 18 months ago. Now and then I have to send in a surge or reinforcements, but the front line is being held by the people with boots on the ground. I'm in charge of making sure armor and ammo get to them, and occassionally taking care of the wounded.

I'm on the front lines of a completely different battle. My battle is one on one, a la Eowyn and the Witch King.

Picture courtesy of
http://contemplativecottage.com/tag/justice/

Witch-king: Come not between the Nazgul and his prey! Or he will not slay thee in thy turn. He will bear thee away to the houses of lamentation, beyond all darkness, where thy flesh shall be devoured, and thy shrivelled mind be left naked to the Lidless Eye.
Èowyn: Do what you will; but I will hinder it, if I may.
Witch-king: Hinder me? Thou fool. No living man may hinder me!
Èowyn: But no living man am I! You look upon a woman. Éowyn I am, Éomund's daughter. You stand between me and my lord and kin. Begone, if you be not deathless! For living or dark undead, I will smite you, if you touch him.

God, I love her. She is so awesome. The bestest of all female characters in all of literature. (Hermione is second, fyi.)
On the way home from Xroads Toby Keith's "American Soldier" was playing and, apart from all the "Yay! Yay! USA!" overt overtones, I found it highly applicable.

I’ve counted up the cost,
I know the sacrifice
Oh and I don’t want to die for you, but if dyin’s asked of me
I’ll bear that cross with honor, cause freedom don’t come free.
Beside my brothers and my sisters,
I will proudly take a stand
When liberty’s in jeopardy,
I will always do what’s right
I’m out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight

I’m out here on the front lines, sleep in peace tonight.