I am passionate about America. I love my country! And I love “Old Glory”! My children love to look at me with wide grins on their faces every time I say the Pledge of Allegiance or when the "Star Spangled Banner" (the national anthem) is sung or played. They grin because it never fails when I see that flag and I hear those words, my eyes well up with tears. After the pledge is said or the song is over and my tears have dried they look at me with the "Okay, here it comes look," and I proceed to give them a short history lesson and the, "You know why I'm so passionate about what that flag stands for and you should be, too," speech.
I don't know when our school systems started picking the parts of American history they want to teach or not teach. But I know the unadulterated American history I was taught makes me never want to take our freedoms for granted. They came at a very high price! Many men and women have lost life and limb for this great country.
I thank God for those first patriots who chose to break ties with Great Britain because of the unfair tariffs and draconian laws that were placed on the colonies. I'm so grateful for the framers and signers of the U.S. Constitution. The wisdom and foresight by which they constructed that wonderful document could only have been God-given.
This great nation is deeply rooted in Godly values and beliefs. I could write many, many pages quoting our founding fathers on their love of the Lord, the Bible and of how America would not even be in existence without God's sovereign hand leading them. Here are just a couple examples:
John Quincy Adams- In the chain of human events, the birthday of the nation is indissolubly linked with the birthday of the Savior. The Declaration of Independence laid the cornerstone of human government upon the first precepts of Christianity.
George Washington - While we are zealously performing the duties of good citizens and soldiers, we certainly ought not to be inattentive to the higher duties of religion. To the distinguished character of Patriot, it should be our highest glory to add the more distinguished character of Christian.
I will be forever thankful for divine providence. The Lord hand-picked a group of godly men who were unafraid to fight for what they believed in and for a better life for themselves and future generations.
I am also grateful for a mighty military that has kept us safe and free for almost 240 years. We need to pray for these courageous men and women who are willing to make such great sacrifices for our freedoms. We also need to take the time to thank them for their service to our country.
It breaks my heart when people don't understand or even take the time to learn about America's roots and who we are at our core and the sacrifices that have been made to have the freedoms we enjoy today. It infuriates me when people don't show respect during the saying of the Pledge of Allegiance or the singing of the national anthem. We need to show honor to this country and to that grand ole flag which represents the indomitable spirit of the American people.
We need to strive to teach our children what it truly means to be an American and the principles this great nation was founded on. We need to teach them all of American history. We need for our children to know the truth so they in turn can teach their children that the United States of America was founded by men who loved God and His holy Word and that the foundation of our government was birthed in that fact.
Let's commit to pray for America and for our federal, state and local leaders. We have drifted so far from where we started that it is almost unrecognizable. I believe it would break the hearts of the founding fathers to see the shape America is in today. God help us to be bold and courageous and to stand up for what is right even when others don't. Through prayer this country was created and through prayer she can be made great again.
Thankfully, my children are finally understanding the reason for my patriotism. I hope their children look at them with wide grins on their faces when they see their mamas get teary-eyed when they say the Pledge of Allegiance or hear the "Star Spangled Banner." I think they are starting to see just like I do that “Old Glory” is a wonderful old flag that is more than just a piece of cloth. It represents the honor, bravery and strength that is America. In the words of George M. Cohan, “You're a grand old flag, you're a high flying flag and forever in peace may you wave. You're the emblem of the land I love. The home of the free and the brave.”
I hope all of you have a happy Flag Day! And also, happy birthday to the United States Army!
