STARS and STRIPES FOREVER

William Driver, whose early years were less than stellar, ran away from home instead of going to Sunday School. However, at age twenty-one, he was promoted to captain of a ship bound for the South Pacific. His mother and wife made him a flag, which he proudly hoisted on his boat’s mast. At the sight of his flag unfurling in the breeze, he exclaimed, “Old Glory.” Captain Driver served his country well, and his words became an affectionate nickname for our flag.

On July 4th, Americans enjoy picnics in the park, family barbecues, fireworks, and we display flags to commemorate our independence from England. The people of the United States have endured hardships—wars, diseases, natural disasters, financial and economic downturns, civil unrest, and terrorism—to name a few. But in recent years, our flag, a symbol of freedom, has come under attack.

Our founding fathers envisioned a country based on “liberty and justice for all,” a detail incorporated in our Pledge of Allegiance.

The colors and symbols carry the same meaning from the first to the current flag. The brilliant field of blue represents justice and perseverance. Fifty stars, one for each state of the union, gleam as bright as those in the heavens placed there by God’s design. Thirteen bold red stripes symbolize valor and courage, honoring the original colonies.

America’s flag stands for the hope of a new nation—perseverance, innocence, and purity—and the promise of justice and freedom.

Have we as a nation achieved the ideal of “One Nation Under God?” Not by a long shot. Wrapped in human frailty, we miss the mark.

But the God who created the vast blue skies, who secured the twinkling stars in the heavens, and who sent His son to bear our stripes, beckons:

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV)

God bless America, and may we ever remain the land of the free and the home of the brave.

By eMarie

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Susie Neilson
Susie Neilson
3 years ago

God Bless America—land that we love ?!
A wonderful patriotic piece of writing ✍️! And it should be iterated for all to hear, over and over again! Thank you ? for being that messenger of God in expressing your pure love and devotion for our country to all! We direly love ❤️ our America for everything it stands for! ~Amen
Susie Neilson

Don
Don
3 years ago

United We Stand Divided We Fall God Bless America ????

Paula Adams
Paula Adams
3 years ago
Reply to  Diane Stratton

Beautifully stated. ❤️

Diane Stratton
Diane Stratton
3 years ago

Thank you, Erma, for posting such a beautiful tribute to both our country and our God!! May God continue to bless America!!

Patti Shene
3 years ago

HI Amre. Thank you for this post.

I fear our flag does not receive near the respect it deserves these days. The concept of our nation blessed by God seems to be swept under the rug anymore, and if you express thoughts of God’s hand in the building of this great country, you are looked upon as some kind of “religious fanatic”.

I especially want to remind folks that we owe a great debt to our veterans. If it were not for them willing to sacrifice everything they did, we would not have the freedoms we do today.

Sherry Shindelar
Sherry Shindelar
3 years ago

Thank you for reminding us of how thankful we should be for our country. Over the centuries our country has been a beacon of hope to so many. Yes, we fall short, but the past and promise should not be discarded because of that. The 4th of July is worth celebrating, and I pray that country will turn back to the Lord.

Patti
Patti
3 years ago

Very well said, Erma! I LOVE your writing and I appreciate your friendship. ? ? ??

Sarah Barker
Sarah Barker
3 years ago

The complexities and turmoil in our nation these days has me questioning the ideals of what we believe about America. I was raised by a US History teaching father and was and still am very blessed to be raised in this country that I love. I’m coming to believe that our American birth did come with a defect. Not a defect that hinders a thriving existence, but nonetheless present at birth. History bodes well for a people to not deny but to persevere and correct wrongs while believing in a God who can do all things when we place our trust in Him! ?? Land that I love!

Glenda Tunison
Glenda Tunison
3 years ago

Well said. God bless the red, white and blue!

Dave
Dave
3 years ago

God bless us, every one, protect us, and guide us as we do his will on earth.

Kathy McKinsey
3 years ago

Thank you. I am grateful for the blessings in our country, and I pray for healing in it for everyone.

Mary Pat Johns
3 years ago

I love this. Our national freedom is under great pressure these days. Let us fight to preserve the freedom that was given to us at great sacrifice. “Long may she wave!”

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