Saturday, July 2, 2011

America, the Beautiful

A lot of people would say that Christmas or Thanksgiving are their favorite holidays....and those are great holidays.....However, for some reason, I have always gotten emotional around Memorial Day, and the 4th of July.

I shouldn't say "for some reason" as if I don't know why.  I know why!  I love America and I love those who have given their all, and some their lives, to preserve the freedom America has always enjoyed.

I have had the privilege to travel to every state in this country, with exception of Hawaii.  It is amazing to drive across this wonderful country and begin to see the changes.  If you head south, you will begin to appreciate warmer climates and at times a more friendly folk, and some really awesome food such as homemade biscuits, okra, turnip greens, cornbread and beans.

As you continue to travel a little farther south you will begin to see tropical sites!  Palm trees and orange groves, sandy beaches and, if your hair is anything like mine, you will look in the mirror and see you have a brand new look, thanks to the humidity!

As you drive through the Midwest you will see rows and rows of corn and flat land that made me cry out as a child "how much longer" and "are we there yet?"  I just wanted a new scene.

As you enter Texas you sense the truth of "everything is bigger in Texas"  The spread out plains, the beauty and history of Austin, or the fun and beauty of San Antonio.
In New York you sense the hustle and bustle of the city the never sleeps!  If you are not careful you will find yourself adopting that lifestyle, as it is a contagious one!  One moment you are walking in step with the wealthy ones shopping and eating in style.  The next moment you are humbled by seeing the poor and homeless, some in bondage to drugs or alcohol.  It makes you stop for a moment and think about what went wrong.....what was going on in that soul's life that brought them to the point of living on the street, feeding off the leftovers we throw in a garbage can.

I love the beauty of New England.  I've been there as fall settled in and the leaves began to change.  For 5 months I lived in those mountains and watched the bears from my living room window as they came to my garbage cans each evening looking for food.  I attended a church that would remind you of the church on the show "Little House on the Prairie" - a small church with a huge bell that they would ring each Sunday.  People showing up for service in the overalls and their musical instruments consisted of  a fiddle, a saw and an organ!

I said good by to that side of America 4 years ago and headed to the west coast.  Who knew I would find my love and soon make my home in this part of the United States!  California allows me to enjoy a taste of all the parts of America.  The desert,the valley, the mountains, the beach, the snow capped mountains.  The busyness of New York City of the quietness of the Midwest.

If asked what I love most about America?  It would be the freedom.  The freedom I have had to attend church and openly worship the One True God.  The freedom I have to talk about Jesus with someone who needs Him desperately.  The freedom I have to carry my Bible and share from it with those who need a little encouragement.  I love the freedom I have to pray with someone who is going through a tough time and needs to call upon the Almighty for help in their time of need.

Freedom can be misused and I think America is experiencing the misuse of her freedoms.  We see this through the sex and violence that plague our youth through TV, the Hollywood industry, music and video games.

While America has always fought for freedom of individuals, there is a side of her that will take away life of the innocent and call it "Pro-choice" or a "woman's right".

America has always prided herself in the traditional family, but in the last many years has embraced the idea of a different "family"- one that goes against nature, even more, goes against God.  This "family" is made up of same sex parents and they are gaining approval....after all "they love each other, so what's wrong with that?"

America founded herself on the principles of the One True God and the Holy Bible.  The Godly principles are what guided America through the tough times.  Today, America has chosen a different path and is rejecting God and embracing ideas that would cause our founding fathers to turn over in their graves!

I love America.  I pray for America and I ask my Heavenly Father to have mercy on her.  Oh that America will see the error of her way and return to God.  I pray America will return to the principles that made her the greatest nation!

Thank you every soldier who is willing to fight and give their life for this great nation.  Thank you God for allowing me to be born in America, the greatest nation on the face of the earth.  I love you