I was fortunate enough in grade school to stand with my peers every morning, hand on our heart and recite, "We pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands. One nation under GOD, with liberty and justice for all."
Today, hundreds of thousands of Americans stood together and pledged their allegiance to having increased faith in God, hope in the future of this nation, and charity toward their fellow beings. Maybe you and I don't agree on everything, but I think the majority of us would concede that our country could do with an injection of faith, hope and charity. We're suffering from an identity crisis. Our good intentions to accommodate others has us substituting tolerance with acquiescence of our founding principles and replacing justice for all with fairness for everyone. This is America, for Pete's sake. We made the Energizer bunny and Nike, but we won't keep going if we don't just do it and get with the program--God's program that is.
You're with me. I'm not with you.
Blaine says that to Colt when we're out on the town and the kiddo pitches a fit about doing things his way. Remembering his place, Colt usually responds with a, "Souw-ee Daddee". We need to remember our place. We are with God--He isn't with us. It's His will, not our will. It's a help up, not a hand out. Personal responsibility, not collective salvation. Sabbath day worship, not Saturday Night Fever. Standing for what's right, not falling for what's easy. Lifting instead of lowering. Giving instead of getting. Praying like it depends on God, and working like it depends on us.
My son was not born today, but something else was. Or maybe the right word is reborn. For that I am very, very grateful.
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern impassioned stress
A thoroughfare of freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife.
Who more than self their country loved
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
[America the Beautiful, words by Katherine Lee Bates, melody by Samuel Ward]
Welcome home America--you're looking beautiful.
1 comment:
I was only able to watch the last part of Restore America this morning, but I was deeply moved by what I was watching and what I heard.
We are "One Nation Under God" and we must never forget!
Thank you for your inspiring words!
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