I'm Standing Until the Good Lord Takes Me Home

With all that's happening in this world lately, I felt compelled to speak my mind on several matters. Since it's my blog, I can exercise my right to free speech and let everyone in on my innermost thoughts.
   
There is not one single place on this planet that I would like to live and raise a family better than America. There are a lot of really crappy places on this earth and some not so crappy, but when it comes down to rights, protection, and living a free life, nothing even comes close to the good ole' USA.
   
Having said that, this country has had its ups and downs since the founding fathers penned the Constitution and I suspect we will have a lot more turmoil in the coming years ahead. This generation that is upon us as we speak, seems to have forgotten how we came to be the greatest nation ever in the history of mankind. We didn't do it by dominating the world and subjecting mankind to our standard of living. We established ourselves first in a series of wars and devastation and then as we healed from that horrible beginning, we went forth abroad and fought for the rights of other nations so they might enjoy the same freedoms that we apply to ourselves today.
   
In all of this, growing and developing as a truly free nation there was one common denominator that stood the test of time and has blessed this nation's cause, and that is the love of our Lord and Savior. His blessings have given some of his children the freedoms they love and cherish. His love has protected us from the evils of other men that would destroy our ideals and enslave us, as other nations have seen. It is His love that created this nation and inspired our founding fathers to pen his inspirations and make laws on paper for all men to read, admire and enjoy. And it was His love for this nation and its children that have stood the test of time when the whole of the earth has been and is engulfed in rage, war, and despair.
   
I said that only some of his children are fortunate enough to have the blessings of this wonderful country but not all of them. You might ask yourself why don't all of his children get to enjoy the blessings of a free and thriving country. I suspect it was all part of his plan to allow as many souls as possible to entertain a place on this earth for as long as mankind can sustain it.
   

Since the beginning of time, man has tried in vain to destroy one another and all the good things they were blessed with. I suspect God's plan for a geographically, strategically placed continent with two massive oceans for borders, that would slow down the destruction and want of greedy men as they try to conquer all the rest of the world and mankind, was all part of his world benefit to man. Separated from the rest of the world, he nurtured and slowly developed a small sprawling population in this America of go-getters, thinkers and men, and women with girth in their loins that could stand the test of time and remember where and whom they owed their allegiances to.
   
In all of this world-beating and brazen disregard for the freedoms and ideals of mankind, I believe the good Lord put down a symbol that represented his will and wishes for all to see and he has preserved it to this very day. The flag of the United States of America has flown and shown through sunny skies and clouds of misery, for all the world to recognize. It still represents the will of a free, "One nation, under God, indivisible, with LIBERTY AND JUSTICE for all."

The flag as placed on the first meager pole back when this country was a fledgling nation has really changed in its value and ideals. Now it represents the sacrifice of not only those who have served for its cause and given everything, but it also represents every decent God-fearing American man and woman who obeys the laws of this nation and lives in the security and safety that it provides on a daily basis.
   
This GREAT flag is a symbol of everything that's right about this nation and exactly whats wrong with the worldly ideas of greedy men. When the chips are down in the free world and women and children cry for their God, its the flag of this nation that rallies to the cries of the oppressed and intervenes on behalf of the free world. I believe this flag is God's symbol of hope and love and that is why it has prevailed to this very day.

When I see Americans taking a knee and disrespecting the flag in a meaningless game of sport, for a cause of anxiety that hardly few even understand, it makes me sad in my heart. The flag of this great nation is so much more than our veterans and their great sacrifice.

It is the lifeblood that pumps through the veins of every citizen that has raised families, worked hard at their jobs, endured and sacrificed their sons and daughters as they served in harm's way. It represents the law-abiding taxpayer that pays his or her fair share to keep this way of life forever. It represents the blood sweat and tears from a nation and its citizens that have endured the tests of time and came out of the storm with their flag still intact.

   
This flag represents all the loving souls in this country that rallied to the call. Whether it be to arms or to serve as common citizens when disaster has befallen parts of our nation. The flag is the symbol which brings comfort and aid when everything else is lost to many in this world. Not only does this flag represent America, but it brings hope to the rest of the world. Otherwise, why are millions of desperate individuals trying to come to America and live under this flag and its nation's ideals?

This grand flag and our National Anthem represent what we were, are now, and what we will become going down the road of freedom as a united people. While a few misguided souls try to upstage the majority of the masses and make this flag and its ceremony a joke, there are many more Americans out there that will continue with their daily lives in honor and tribute to this great symbol. These are the true Americans that make this nation the country that it is.
   
Concerning our flag and National Anthem and all that has passed in front of this country these past few months, I feel sad for the misgivings of a few spoiled children of America and how misguided they actually are. The one true symbol they are trying to tear down is the very foundation, which allows them to make millions of dollars, while the masses sit and enjoy the spectacle in their free time. There again I used the word free while describing an act that is part of the greater work that our Father has gifted His children with. I can only wish that intelligent minds could realize the foolish notions of a minority cause and we can all stand for what we really depend upon and need, a never-ending symbol that represents every last one of us that make up this America, our Grand Ole Flag.
   

I came from a military family and I have served as well. The actions of the NFL players during the National Anthem is sickening, to say the least. It is their right to this free assembly and actions being one of the reasons we all served our country. Whether I agree or disagree, I find myself as one small citizen in a maze of troubled times, in a nation that is on the verge of losing its identity. I will continue to stand and pledge my allegiance to my country and pray to my God that He preserves all Americans, our Constitution, the flag, and this great nation for all posterity to enjoy until He takes us home.