Growing up in a small town elementary school in the 60’s meant big celebrations. We celebrated Christmas, and we were allowed to call it Christmas. We decorated for Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day, Easter, and all four seasons. I can fondly remember my teacher in each grade changing out the bulletin boards and putting up matching alphabet cutouts for each new quarter.

But one of my favorite holidays was President’s Day. I loved Mr. Washington and Mr. Lincoln. They were bigger than life to a tiny, single-digit little girl in southern Indiana. I could hardly contain myself to think that the 16^th president of the United States of America actually LIVED nearby ME 100 years before? Holy Top Hat, Batman!

I remember clearly the presidential silhouettes of Lincoln and Washington in our classroom. There was so much respect, honor and dignity associated with those two heroes. We were taught to be appreciative of what they had done to shape this great nation. There was no one to tell me otherwise, I wouldn’t have cared that they weren’t perfect, I would have still been in awe that the good they had accomplished meant that I lived in freedom.

Sixteenth president. Preserved the Union during the Civil War and brought about the Emancipation Proclamation, setting countless thousands free.

Perfect? Most certainly not. Controversial to some? Certainly. This post isn’t about controversy; it’s an abbreviated look at a man who seems to have learned to rely on Almighty God through experience and tragedy.

Abraham Lincoln experienced much misfortune and heartbreak in his shortened life. His brother, Thomas, died as an infant. When Abraham was nine, his mother Nancy passed away of milk sickness at the age of only 34. Before he could become properly engaged to Anne Rutledge, typhoid fever entered New Salem and Anne died…at 22 years old. Lincoln married Mary Todd in 1842 and they had four children together, only one of them, Robert, grew to adulthood. (Eddie died in 1850 of tuberculosis; Willie died of a fever in 1862. Tad died of heart failure at the age of 18, in 1871.)

Inaugurated to the presidency in March, 1861, and by April, Fort Sumter, South Carolina, was already under siege, the beginnings of America’s most deadly conflict.

Nancy Todd Lincoln, in her grief over the death of Willie, only 11, turned to New Age mediums hoping they could help her cope with the loss. Lincoln? He sought out Phineas Gurley who was pastor of the New York Avenue Presbyterian Church in Washington where the Lincoln’s regularly attended.

When Lincoln assumed the presidency, he said, “I was brought to a living reflection that nothing in my power whatever would succeed without the direct assistance of the Almighty. I have often wished that I was a more devout man than I am. Nevertheless, amid the greatest difficulties of my Administration, when I could not see any other resort, I would place my whole reliance on God, knowing that all would go well, and that He would decide for the right.”

Dr. James Smith, pastor of the First Presbyterian Church of Springfield where President and Mrs. Lincoln attended for many years before moving to Washington, said this about the President’s faith:

“Dr. Smith explained how he provided Lincoln with a copy of his book and during this time Smith had been praying for a period of weeks that “the Spirit of Truth might lead him into the kingdom of Truth. And such was the result … Lincoln came forth from this examination … a believer in God, in His Providential government, in His Son, the way, the truth and the life. And from that time [nearly seven years] to this day, Lincoln’s life has proved the genuineness of his conversion to the Christian faith.”

Today, there is hardly any celebration for President Lincoln’s birthday. Only four remaining states actually celebrate his birthday on its date. Presidents Day, as we call it, only commemorates Washington’s Birthday; there is technically no national holiday called Presidents Day. The third Monday in February is the date set aside for the federal Washington’s Birthday holiday under the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971.

Did you know more states celebrate Black Friday (the day after Thanksgiving, the holiday instituted by Lincoln) than Lincoln’s birthday?

Here is some interesting Lincoln trivia for you:

• He was the only president to have a patent: Lincoln invented a device to free steamboats that ran aground.
• He practiced law without a degree.
• He wanted women to have the vote in 1836.
• Lincoln loved to eat oysters.
• He used the telegraph like email to communicate with generals.
• He loved to wrestle!
• Lincoln’s cat ate at the White House dinner table. (Disgust!)
• His dog was named Fido; cat was named Tabby.
• He read the Bible every day.
• He didn’t drink, smoke, or chew.
• He didn’t have a middle name and he hated being called Abe.
• Lincoln established Thanksgiving as a national holiday.
• Grave robbers tried to steal Lincoln’s body in 1876.
• He was photographed with John Wilkes Booth at his second inauguration.
• Lincoln kept his important documents inside his hat.
• He was the first president with a beard.
• Lincoln’s shoe size was between 12 and 14.
• His coffin has been opened five times.
• Lincoln didn’t attend his father’s funeral.
• Ulysses S. Grant was to be his guest at Ford’s Theater. He cancelled at the last minute.

So, happy 206^th birthday, Mr. President. You weren’t perfect by any means…come to think of it I do not know any perfect people here on this earth and I certainly cannot start the club. But for all you did to make this country great, we thank you.

“Trusting in Him, who can go with me, and remain with you and be every where for good, let us confidently hope that all will yet be well. To His care commending you, as I hope in your prayers you will commend me, I bid you an affectionate farewell.”
Farewell Address on February 11, 1861

Don’t forget your copy of The Daniel Fast, A Devotional. Great for ANY FAST or prayer journey. On Amazon in paperback and Kindle and Barnes and Noble too! Be blessed!

1. Reinhard N. Luthin, The Real Abraham Lincoln, p. 398.

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