Happy 4th of July! I have to apologize for totally forgetting last week. I have to admit that I considered just ending this blog this week. I am juggling quite a bit and feeling like something has to give. However, I don't think God is done with this blog yet, and when 3 more people decided to "like" my page on Facebook, I took that as a sign to press on.
My post is short this week. I know that there is much controversy in our land and across the globe. I know that America s not perfect, nor has it ever been. We have made mistakes, some very large and tragic. However, there is still so much beauty to sing of.
This is a fallen world. We are all sinners, me especially. I am not going to try to point fingers, inflict blame, or act in self-righteousness. I am just as guilty as the next person and know I have not always held up my end of the bargain to make America great and serve my fellow man.
Yet, I have such love for my country, and I believe wholeheartedly in our founding principles. Our founding fathers were sinners as well, many of them brilliant, but sinners all the same. In their brokenness they sought to build a land founded on God's principles. In their failings, they strove to succeed. They envisioned the best and gave their lives to see it through.
Yes, America is not perfect, only Heaven is. America is beautiful, though. We have beautiful lands, vista, plains, and bodies of water. We have beautiful citizens who do love others, and live by the golden rule. We have a beautiful history, too. We must stop short changing ourselves with self deprecation. Our future can be beautiful, too, if we just focus more on what can bring us together and less on what could tear us apart.
God bless, America!
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I was raised to love my country, to serve her, to pray for her, to guide her and her citizens in any way I could. My parents, grandparents, and great grandparents always told us how blessed we were to be Americans, how proud we should be that we are citizens of a great, shining beacon of hope. I have vivid memories of my mom dressed in red, white, and blue saluting the flag with tears in her eyes at festivals and events. She learned God Bless America in sign language and taught us all to sign the song, even though she knew nothing of sign language. There were endless rehearsals in our kitchen with the music blaring. Every student that she taught, also learned to sign the song with pride, emotion, and reverence. My one regret in planning her funeral was that I wasn't able to get up and sign that song one last time for my mother.
I didn't always appreciate this great land. I remember going to Elks Club dinner dances with my grandparents and how my grandfather had tears streaming down his cheeks every time they did the 11th hour remembrance of fallen brothers. How he stood with beaming pride and love, his hand placed firmly over his heart as the National Anthem was sung. I loved my grandfather but didn't understand his devotion, after all aren't there better places all around the world?
I dreamed of sailing abroad, walking the streets of Paris, visiting buildings twice the age of our nation, seeing history and beauty all around me. I yearned for the taste of fine cuisine and the mix of languages I could encounter in just a short trip. I saw the jewels of Europe and couldn't wait for my chance to dive into them.
That chance finally came when I was 20 years old and required to study abroad. Three semesters away and in exploration. It sounded like Heaven on Earth. I did indulge in the delectable pastries and chocolates of France, Belgium, Ireland, England, Germany, and Austria. I marveled at the magnificent castles and cathedrals, the likes of which I had never seen. However, once the initial allure wore off, I realized that I was a stranger in a strange land. I would always be an outsider no matter how well I spoke French, or how I dressed like a "native," this wasn't my home, and I wanted home. It was an amazing and unforgettable experience. I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that my parents afforded me. (And my grandmother, who paid for my plane ticket.) It is overseas that I found my true home, in America. It was in the lights of Paris, that I fell in love with my own country.
Now my country needs prayers. I don't know what God's Will is for this election. I don't know who He would vote into office. However, I am pretty sure it would be for a candidate who loved this land, liberty, and life. I am asking everyone who reads this to say a special Flying Novena tomorrow, November 7th for a Godly result to our election. Pray for mercy to be bestowed upon this great land, that the hearts and mind of every voter and candidate would be opened and converted to the Truth that sets us all free. Please, Share this with family and friends--let us pray our way to the polls. Thank you.
Flying Novena for Our Nation
Dear Father, you have greatly blessed our great land. You have bestowed upon us life, liberty, and hope. It is by Your Grace, and for Your Glory, that this country has become a beautiful, shining example of freedom and aide to those in need. We have turned our backs on You, You who are most worthy of all our praise. We have trampled the bounty You set at our feet, and mowed down the innocent in the name of choice. Please, Dear LORD, hear our prayers and rescue this country. Open the hearts of our countrymen to upright character, faith, and charity. Convert the hearts of the lost, and bring us all to our knees is penance and thanksgiving. Please guide every voter this election, and may Thy Will be done. Amen.
Memorare--pray 9 times
REMEMBER, O most gracious Virgin Mary, that never was it known that
anyone who fled to thy protection, implored thy help, or sought thy
intercession was left unaided. Inspired with this confidence, I fly to
thee, O Virgin of virgins, my Mother; to thee do I come; before thee I
stand, sinful and sorrowful. O Mother of the Word Incarnate, despise not
my petitions, but in thy mercy hear and answer me. Amen.
Thank you everyone. Please remember to vote! God bless America!
