Follow Up to “True Americans”

I want to thank everyone who read “True Americans” as well as those who re-posted the article on their Face Book accounts.  Thank you also for asking others to read the article.

I humbly thank each person who took the time to contact me via telephone, email, blog comments, Face Book comments and private messages.  To say I am overwhelmed by the number of readers and responses is an understatement.

I am not a Patriot like Colonel Kelly, George Washington or the multitudes of other Americans who have taken a stand for our country since the 1700′s.

But what I am is a Christian woman who was brought up to love our country deeply and passionately.  I was taught the stories of what it really took to separate the Colonies from the Crown.  I’ve read the letters describing the Civil War that were written by my g-g-g-uncle who served in the Union Army.  I listened intently to my uncles and cousins and neighbors describe the battles they fought in Europe and the Pacific during World War II.  None of it was pretty or easy.  But someone needed to do it.

I also know that what a person deeply loves can be lost.  Sometimes forever.  And I won’t let my beloved country slip through the cracks without doing what I can do to help save it.

Some people, like Colonel Kelly and George Washington, can do a lot.  Perhaps I can only do a little.  Doing nothing cannot be an option.  Even Young David knew he had a responsibility when he observed Goliath taunt the Israelite army!

So what can an average joe do?

Can you talk?  Can you keyboard?  In today’s world, that’s the equivalent of picking up your long rifle or musket!

Locate the name, address, phone number and email address of your U.S. senator by going to:  www.senate.gov/.  To get the same information for your U.S. representative, go to www.house.gov/. To obtain the contact information for your state representatives, simply Google the name of your state and representative (for example, “Virginia state representative”).  Call or write.  Do both.  But do something.  And do it with decorum and dignity.

Perhaps you would like to politely tell them how you want them to vote on upcoming issues.  Or tell them in a mannerly way what you think of their voting record.  Or whatever it is that you feel strongly about.  Always be respectful.  For you are a representative of Christ.

But above all, pray for our country.  Pray daily without fail.  God is Sovereign.  He is the One in charge.  George Washington knew this and He never started his day without talking to God.  Nor did he ever undertake any situation without first seeking out the Lord.

You see, someday your children and grandchildren will ask you what you did during the difficulties our nation faced.

Will you look at the ground and tell them that you did nothing because you expected others to do something?

Or will your face glow with pride as you tell the little ones and young people how you did all that you reasonably could?

You choose the example that you set.

As for me, I have a legacy to continue.  While I cannot take a long rifle and go to war, while I cannot stand in the face of musket balls and cannon balls and chop down a bridge, I can talk and I can write and I can encourage others to do the same.  And I can pray daily to God and ask Him to be the Guide of our country.

What say ye?

I vow to thee, my country – all earthly things above –

Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;

The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,

That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;

The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,

The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

Words:  Cecil A. Spring-Rice

Music:  Gustav T. Holst

TO GOD BE THE GLORY 

Cynthia Howerter © 2011