52 Weeks Of True Stories:
Build Character One Week At A Time
- Gratitude for Second Chances
After the humiliation at Harper’s Ferry, Willard and his men could have lived under shame forever. Instead, they were given another chance. Their gratitude for that second opportunity fueled the discipline, courage, and fire that drove them forward at Gettysburg. “The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are renewed every morning.” — Lamentations 3:22–23 - Gratitude for Leadership That Believed in Them
His soldiers weren’t just following orders; they were following a man who refused to give up on them. Gratitude for Willard’s belief in their potential made them willing to march into “a perfect storm of missiles” with confidence instead of fear. “Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.” — 1 Thessalonians 5:11 - Gratitude That Outlives Death
Willard never lived to see the redemption he earned for his men, but his sacrifice sealed it. For his brigade, gratitude turned into lifelong respect and a legacy of honor. Gratitude made his short life echo far beyond the battlefield. “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” — John 15:13
