I am what you might call a patriotic kinda gal. I love my country, I support the troops, and I even cry during the Star Spangled Banner. You won’t find me sitting as that anthem is sung, and in fact, you’ll see me with my hand on my heart, at attention, eyes searching for a national ensign to which my sight can rest. I love Old Glory, and I respect my nation’s red, white, and blue banner. I certainly wouldn’t be caught dead burning it, and I actually get pretty heated when I feel like people are disrespecting her. I may even go overboard when I see a flag draped across someone’s body like a fashion statement, and I’ll quickly remind others of flag etiquette whether they want to hear it or not.
I think the time I spent in the U.S. Navy enhanced my awareness of the sacrifice of others. You can’t watch hordes of young men fly into your hospital with missing limbs, their faces distorted by mortar blasts, and not have a tad bit of respect for what they do. I served in the aftermath of 9/11, and while it was one of the most awful experiences I have lived through, I am reminiscent of our country’s pride and enthusiasm status post such a tragedy. That part was amazing. We stood as one, unified in love of country.
In that vein, I always love holidays that honor our fallen soldiers, service members past and present, and the great United States of America. That’s right, I said great, because to me she is, but for the first time in forever I didn’t get that overall sense of patriotism as much on this Independence Day.
Yesterday I noticed a lot of “Happy July 4th” salutations, and I smiled as plenty of people celebrated our nation’s history, freedom, and remembrance of so many who had done so much. But I also saw comments of disgust, defeat, and discouragement. Folks sounded downright disheartened about being American, and I wanted to shout out loudly, “have you forgotten?!”
What’s up, America?
It’s true, I don’t agree with a lot of the decisions on Capitol Hill, and sadly I am seeing a shift from the Godly values I cherish to a corrupt government that is blind to the truth. I get angry, and I get disgusted with some of the laws that get passed and some of the officials who get elected. It’s almost enough to make one want to throw up their hands and rip their voter registration card into pieces. But there’s a couple of things you forget when you lose heart.
Our country was founded by men who put their trust in the Lord, men who wanted to pursue life, liberty, and justice. They wanted a better life for their families, and they fought to achieve that very thing. The fact remains that men and women with these desires still exist. There are good people who live in this country still, and they are fighting for us. Whether in Washington D.C., our local government, or on the front lines of battle, great men and women are forging ahead for a better America despite the difficulties present. There are people who haven’t given up hope, and neither should we.
And I don’t know about you, but I serve a God who still reigns supreme. I serve a God who isn’t taken by suprise over election results and Supreme Court rulings. My God works it all together for my good, and my God says, “if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” (2 Chronicles 7:14)
My America was founded “in God we trust,” and my America holds on tightly to hope. It holds on to the great American Dream, and it believes that “no weapon forged against you will prevail, and you will refute every tongue that accuses you. This is the heritage of the servants of the LORD, and this is their vindication from me, declares the LORD.” (Isaiah 54:17)
I’m what you might call a patriotic kinda gal, and I’m definitely what you would label as a Christian. I believe in Jesus Christ, and I believe in our nation, despite the attacks satan might try to deploy. Until God comes back I’ll keep celebrating freedom.
I think we too easily forget the gifts we have been given. We don’t live in a country where our children are beheaded for refusing to fast. We don’t live in a country where we must flee our homes for our own safety simply because of our insistence to believe in Jesus.
We forget that we are afforded the right to complain about our country because it is a free country. We aren’t thrown in prison or executed for speaking out loud our dissatisfaction with our leaders. We have that right; we have the right to be angry, frustrated, and outspoken about it. But just because we have the right to be upset, I do not think we should expand on that liberty by speaking ill of the wonderful country in which we are privileged to live.
America is changed, and she is wounded, but I still believe she is great. I still believe great, Godly people exist in her walls willing to stand firm for truth. I still believe in We the People. I still believe in us.
I just wish more of my fellow Americans concurred.