The Icy River

On the day George Washington learned that James Monroe had been elected Governor of Virginia, he reacted with dissatisfaction and grew sick, apparently brought on by cold and rainy weather. About 23 years earlier, Mr. Monroe and crossed the Delaware river as part of Mr. Washington's attack of Trenton. They had a good relationship in those days, with Mr. Monroe holding Mr. Washington in highest regard. Mr. Monroe, while leading an attack down one of Trenton's streets, what shot and significantly wounded, as he carried that musket ball embedded in his body for the rest of his life.

But during Mr. Monroe's assignment to France, due to incomplete communications, both had felt betrayed by the other, and both suffered from a rather high regard for themselves and were too willing to turn of those who they thought had betrayed or disparaged themselves.

Just after Mr Monroe, one of our founding fathers ( as a young man) was elected as governor, he was seeking to mend his relationship with Mr. Washington. But Mr. Monroe's letter of reconciliation was produced too late and Mr. Washington deteriorated and died.

Christ put the need for each of us to cross that "Icy River" of our indignation, and forgive all those we think (whether valid or not) have treated us poorly.