Land of the Free and Home of the Brave

Last week Mrs. Pam Welch, a representative from the Daughters of 1812, came to the class to read a story about The Star Spangled Banner and to donate the book to the PBS library.

In 1814, Baltimore’s Fort McHenry endured a 25-hour long bombardment by the British navy. The morning after the siege, American soldiers hoisted an enormous American flag over the fort, and the sight inspired Francis Scott Key to write the lyrics to our national anthem.

In some ways, patriotism is out of vogue these days. So why do we still recite the Pledge of Allegiance every morning, and why do we teach our children to stand for the National Anthem? Because, despite all our faults, America is still the land of the free and the home of the brave.

We shouldn’t take that freedom for granted. There are still many countries where Christians are persecuted, women’s rights are restricted, and speaking against the government could result in imprisonment.

America is still a nation which believes in “liberty and justice for all.” We may at times fail to fully put that belief into practice, but that only means we need to work harder. When we show respect for our flag, we’re acknowledging that we affirm the principles of liberty and justice, and we strive to work together to make those ideals a reality.

Is America God’s “favorite” country? Absolutely not. In heaven, every tribe and every nation will worship Him. But we are privileged to live in a land where we enjoy so many freedoms. We need to pray that those freedoms will continue.

“First of all, then, I urge that supplications prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way.” I Timothy 2:1 ESV

Some of our PBS football players also paid us a visit.