The State of a Nation

Six ancient hands snapped the flag tight as they drew it from the coffin. With trained precision, these three service men respectfully folded the stars and stripes once again. Struggling to hold the flag with reverence as the elements of the weather howled around them, they prepared this ensign of these United States to be offered in gratitude to the widow of one more hero about to be laid to rest. As the impatient youth of the nation stood anxiously waiting to get out of the cold, these men in their twilight years gave revered homage to a compatriot who had put his life on the line during World War II and lived to tell about it. To them, the understanding of what it means to be free was not lost on the trivialities of the daily grind.

The afternoon quiet was shattered by a rifle salute of 7 service men each firing 3 shots. And just like that, cell phones were turned back on, text messages were fired up, and people scattered to get "some place else". Their memories of these senior soldiers who were attempting to, for just one moment, immortalize the sacrifices of not just this one man...but of all soldiers both past and present, evaporated like a breath of air on a mirror.

Is not this the State of our Nation?

It is no surprise that the United States of America is a nation struggling. Despite the cheery candor of our current president as he bandies himself around the world with a smile and a handshake at the ready, boasting about how this new plan is "ahead of schedule and under budget", and the media circus that surrounds him spinning the news that change is here; take a look at the people around you and ask if things really are improving.

Job loss is at an all-time high, so is inflation. Housing prices continue to plummet and company after company is seeking a stimulus bail out because it is just easier that way.

People who have enjoyed past times of plenty, and taken "advantage" of second and third mortgages so that they could purchase RVs and boats, suddenly find themselves about to face the responsibility of their actions, and they race to the government seeking aid which is being handed out by the bucket loads, hoping to deter the reality that will eventually strike them.

Meanwhile, those who were prudent, bought a reasonable home, a modest car, and maintained a proper budgeting plan, and lived as best they could within their means, now find themselves doing everything they can just to make ends meet...and still shoulder the burden of realization that all this government spending is going to come out of their own personal coffers.

To the best of my research, not one person in the media, the government or any of the "Specialists" who have been called in, have been able to share with us the cause, nor the solution to our current situation. Some may have suggested it within their closed circles, but none are ready to share it.

I will.

We, as a nation, have forgotten our God. No one in any seat of power or influence will acknowledge in an open arena that it is upon the Great Hand of Providence that this Nation has relied on to make it what it is today. It was not just the futile efforts of some men and women that catapulted the history of this nation into the forefront of superpowers. It was the efforts of these men and women AFTER their faith and reliance upon God that made us a Nation of History.

When George Washington first took the office of President of these United States, after humbling recognizing that he was honored and touched by his fellow country men who elected him and their trust in him, the first thing he said to the gathered crowd in his inaugural address was, "it would be peculiarly improper to omit in this first official act, my fervent supplications to that Almighty Being who rules over the universe, who presides in the councils of nations, and whose providential aids can supply every human defect, that His benediction may consecrate to the liberties and happiness of the people of the United States...No people can be bound to acknowledge and adore the Invisible Hand which conducts the affairs of men more than those of the United States. Every step by which they have advanced to the character of an independent nation seems to have been distinguished by some token of providential agency; and in the important revolution just accomplished in the system of their united government the tranquil deliberations and voluntary consent of so many distinct communities from which the event has resulted can not be compared with the means by which most governments have been established without some return of pious gratitude, along with an humble anticipation of the future blessings which the past seem to presage." (emphasis added)

The United States of America became great because it and the people who lead this nation, acknowledged our Heavenly Father. They expressed gratitude for His blessings both publicly and privately. They were a God-fearing people and KNEW that without Him, they and their efforts were to be lost in the histories of time as a failed attempt at creating something great.

The mindset of our nation today is that we are "Progressive" in our thinking and that it is within OUR power to make changes. We have moved beyond a need for such needless traditions as "religion". In Newsweek last week, a new study showed that the number of people who are willing to admit that they believe in Christianity has dropped by 10% in the last 10 years. The number of atheists and agnostics has increased in droves.

Every person has their opinion regarding the State of the Nation, how we got to where we are, which politician or political groups should be pointed out, scorned and blamed for the situation, and how who has the right idea of how to fix it.

I will tell you right now that the reason for our State of the Nation is because we have forgotten God. He has been taken out of our schools, out of public meetings and places. He has been pushed aside for "progressive" thinking. He has been shunned because this "crutch" is no longer needed.

I promise you that He is needed. Now more than ever before. I am not telling you how to worship, or who to worship or which religion you have to choose. I am telling you that God is out there, and He is waiting for you to find Him.

There is not a single person out there, atheist or believer, who does not cry out to a Higher Power when their life or the lives of their loved ones is in danger.

The life of our Nation is in danger. I am crying out to Heavenly Father because I love this Nation.

God blessed America. I believe He is waiting for us to say, "Thank You."