There was a time when I sang that song real loud “Cause I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free.” and I meant it, I felt free and I felt proud.
It’s not that I’m not proud, but I think an overwhelming sense of shame has crept in. It just seems things aren’t going the way I thought they would, people don’t honor God, they hate Him. People don’t value free speech, they tell others to shut up. People don’t have pride in their work as much, and so many more have plain given up hope. I think it’s a lot to talk about, and a lot to think about, and I just don’t want to get into it here. But I do want to share what WE do about it.
*don’t tell others what to do, but share what you do*
We teach the kids about freedom, and how it was fought for over many many years. We teach them about hard work, and about how the founders of this country had to work to get things going. We teach them pride in who they are, and in what they believe. We teach them courage in their faith, and to not be ashamed of who they are, no matter the hate that comes their way.
We teach them respect for the American flag, and that includes some practical things, like don’t let it touch the ground, and how to fold it.
I love this little capture of our life. We take the flag down at the end of each of Scott’s evening shifts.
Waving in the wind.
Max reaches up to catch it as it comes down.
Getting it down and off it’s rope.
Jack helps smooth it flat as they start to fold it.
Scott shows Max how to fold it “Like a paper football”.
Almost done.
Scott carries it into his office to put away until the next day.
It’s just a relic, a thing, a sheet of fabric, but I want to boys to understand what it means to us as Americans. And I pray that one day, if the Lord tarries, that they too can sing “And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.”
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