Every morning, my family and I stand in our foyer and say the Pledge of Allegiance before hanging the American Flag out on the front porch. When I was younger, I used to take great pride in this pledge. With a child’s faith, I believed that America was the best country in the nation. And then I grew up, Obama became President, and suddenly I found myself hesitating before saying, “I Pledge Allegiance…to the United States of America.” I began to wonder if, as a Catholic, I can pledge my allegiance every morning to a country that kills its children, mocks its Catholics, and supports gay unity.
Then, as I looked at the flag, thinking all of this, I remembered how America began. The heroic stories of the Jesuit martyrs evangelizing to the Indians and the very Catholic mission that led Christopher Columbus to discover this nation ran through my mind. I remembered the famous words of Nathan Hale, “I regret that I have only one life to lose for my country,” and thought about what this country was when the Pledge and Flag first came into existence. The faces of Thomas Jefferson, George Washington, and John Adams, scenes from war movies such as Black Hawk Down and The Patriot, and the many amazing men and women in our military all came to mind. As I pieced these together, I began to understand why good, God-fearing families still place their hands over their hearts and proudly stand by the flag every day.
The flag is a symbol of our great nation. It is a reminder of our past, a symbol of hope for the future, and an embodiment of our pride to be carried within our hearts. As I pledge allegiance now, I promise God to stand by my country through thick and thin, to fight to restore it to its former glory, and to stand by its founding principles. I pledge myself to fight for the rights of its citizens, whether still in the womb or in a nursing home, and to stand true even when America is in disgrace, because God needs His people to bring His name and truth to fallen countries. And, if all the Christians were to leave America, and stop praying for its restoration, then it would certainly fall. Do not look to other countries as a place in need of light, strike the matches here first. Light the souls of this dying people, revive the pride and beauty of America, and then it truly will be a great nation once again. If America can be saved, then the world will once again have a great admiration for this shining country and its strong young men and women, for a country that fears and honors God with its actions will be blessed.
Keep America in your prayers, that we might see these dark times pass.
*cough*Nathan Hale*cough*
2 corrections:
1)It was not Patrick Henry, but Nathan Hale who said “I regret that I have only one life to lose for my country”
2)You wrote “I believed that America was the best country in the NATION” I think you meant “world”
Nice article, but as for myself, I find less and less reasons to love this country everyday 🙁
Since others offered historical corrections, I’ll move on — and add that continuing your honest and hopeful offering of our Pledge of Allegiance, is inspiring — not only because of the reasons you gave, but because it is a pledge given, as you realize — to the country, not individuals in elected office. And as a Catholic, I rejoice in the Blessed Virgin, and her miraculous image as Our Lady of Guadalupe, Empress of the Americas (all), she who is Queen of Heaven and Earth. Thanks be to God! The battle is already won, and she rejoices when we trust, work and pray.
Hello Readers!
I just wanted to extend my thanks for pointing out the embarrassing mistake I made! That’s what happens when I write in a rush!
May God bless all of you!
Your Pledge is only good for 24 hours? Do you also sign your bank loan papers everyday? Are you that unreliable? Even for our highest officials, we expect one oath of office to be sufficient.
No problems Abigail, we all make mistakes 🙂
And to HIFI:
Wow, that is a little harsh don’t you think? And besides I think you missed her point.
And on top of that, saying the pledge every morning does not imply it is only effective for 24 hours. Back when I was in school we had to say the pledge every single morning.