Lessons from February's Sons, Part 1

February 10th, 2023

Our blog today features two men born on the same day in February and lessons we can learn from them. We pray that you walk away with tools to help strengthen your faith and family connections.

Since childhood, I remember hearing my mother say more than once, "All great men were born in February." Whether this statement was original to her, I don't know. And I cannot support its soundness, as many men worthy of such a label (humanly speaking, of course) were birthed in months other than the shortest one of the year. But, as I recall, the context in which she used this statement concerned at least three presidents and my father. (Ironically, one of my sisters and I also married men who were February babies. Coincidence? I think not.)

This idea resonated with me, and naturally, I think about my mother’s repeated claim as February rolls around each year. This time, however, since I had a blog to write, I thought about it more intentionally and pondered an impactful statement two of these men made that may have spurred others on to greatness. So please indulge me as I share what the Lord has laid on my heart today about these men and their words of wisdom.

A Legacy of Purpose

James W. Buchanan, Jr.

James William Buchanan, Jr. (my dad, not the president), born February 6, 1925, was a member of "the Great Generation," served his country in World War 2 on the U.S.S. Becuna (submarine), worked as a surveyor and mapmaker, and was always a true patriot who loved this country. He was well-read and not afraid to speak up (or write a "poison pen letter," as we called them) when he encountered injustice. He stood for the love of family, the love of country, and in his final days, the love of God (having accepted Christ as his personal Savior just weeks before he passed).

Whenever my father entered a room and remained standing, anyone who was a family member (or a visiting friend of a family member) anticipated the six words my dad became known for: "I've got a job for ya." (Picture this announcement being delivered with a loud, Maine/Massachusetts accent to get the full effect. 😊) Though it was often met with groans and a lack of enthusiasm—only paling in response to our dread of liver and onions—the "job" he delegated at that moment quickly got started and was always completed. That is, after careful inspection by Dad to ensure that it was done as close to perfection as possible. If not, a stern reprimand and a "re-do" was in order.

"Either you make time to do your best the first time, or you make time to do it over."

I now look back on those days with fondness, for within those formative years amidst the hundreds of "jobs for ya" I was assigned, I developed and maintained a work ethic that has led to my success in whatever I have strived for in life. Likewise, my siblings and I passed that legacy of a hard-work mentality on to our children. Once I became a teacher, I even found myself using a modified version of Dad's expectations: "Either you make time to do your best the first time, or you make time to do it over." Hard work and an attitude of excellence—not prevalent in our current culture—lead to a sense of purpose and greatness.

A Legacy of Generational Fortitude

President Ronald Reagan (one of the three presidents to whom my mother referred) was also born on February 6, but 14 years earlier, in 1911. He, too, was a patriot who served his country as a citizen, soldier, governor, and president. His love for our country's foundations and God drove him to stand for truth and righteousness, even amid intense opposition in a left-leaning political climate. In his farewell address to our nation in January 1989, he challenged us to learn our country's real history, embrace the grassroots efforts of our founding fathers, and teach them to our children so that our freedoms would remain sacred and secure. He reminded us, "All great change in America begins at the dinner table."¹

Families who have prioritized eating together over the years know this claim to be a proven reality. Additionally, we now have sound research results that reinforce the benefits of family meals from both secular and Christian perspectives.² Family dinner time contributes to children's social, emotional, mental, physical, and spiritual health, regardless of age. A recent Barna study (2019) showed that Christian families who eat dinner together are also highly likely (90%) to engage in spiritual conversations and shared prayer or Bible-reading experiences.³ Reagan’s quotation also affirms the power of sitting down together as a family unit, having meaningful discussions, and regularly connecting as the catalyst for a positive national awakening to great things. That sounds like a revival to me!

"All great change in America begins at the dinner table."

Interestingly, while working on this blog, I came across several articles about Reagan's son who, at the age of 12, declared to his parents that he wasn't going to church anymore and that he didn't believe "this stuff." As an adult, Ron Reagan, Jr. served as an honorary director of the Freedom From Religion Foundation. I can't help but wonder if President Reagan made the above statement with a hint of regret. Perhaps his declaration was made to caution those who desire to raise moral and godly children, to avoid mistakes he may have made. Only he knows for sure.

Deuteronomy 6:7
You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise.

As a Christian parent, however, I need to take these two legacy statements to heart and intentionally practice them with my children and grandchildren. Though we acknowledge that great men were not born in February only, we would be remiss to ignore the advice given by two of those who were. May you and your family be blessed with purposeful “jobs for ya” and gatherings at the dinner table. STAY BOLD and take on the challenge to start a revival within the walls of your own home!

Proverbs 14:34
Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people.

¹Ronald Reagan. “Farewell Address.” Broadcast January 11, 1989. https://www.reaganlibrary.gov/archives/speech/farewell-address-nation.
²Check out these articles for more information:
https://www.gse.harvard.edu/news/20/04/harvard-edcast-benefit-family-mealtime;
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4325878; and
https://thefamilydinnerproject.org/about-us/benefits-of-family-dinners.
³ See the article “The Link Between Fun & Faith in Our Homes” (April 2, 2019) at https://www.barna.com/research/fun-faith-in-our-homes/.

Author Bio:
Holly Varnum, Director of Curriculum Development at Reasons for Hope, joined us in September 2021 to launch curricular materials to support many of our media resources. With degrees in education, curriculum and instruction, and educational administration, she comes with over three decades of experience in working with teens and adults in camp ministry, teaching and administration, and curriculum writing (A Beka Book, Focus on the Family, and Answers in Genesis to name a few). God has provided her with a well-rounded educational perspective through service in Christian schools, charter schools, public schools, homeschooling, Christian camps, and local church ministry. She has been a classroom teacher, instructional coach, administrator, camp counselor, Sunday School teacher, ladies’ Bible Study teacher, and conference speaker. She looks forward to using her passion for God’s truth within the context of Reasons for Hope.

Her hobbies include cooking, baking, hiking, camping, traveling, and working on do-it-yourself projects. Holly and her husband, Paul, also enjoy any time they can spend with their three grown daughters, two sons-in-law, and two grandchildren (so far!). They live in the beautiful state of Maine, and yes, they eat lobster (properly pronounced “lobstah”) whenever they get a chance!