Patriot- “One who loves his or her country” {Webster’s New Dictionary of the English Language}.

The election is over.  Some of us are very glad it’s over!  Congratulations to Mr. Obama on his win.  I hope he realizes that he has been placed where he is by a Higher Power than the popular vote or the Electoral College (Read Romans 13. 1-7).  My plan is to pray for him and due my duty as a patriot and a Christian to support him and carry on the Great Commandment and Commission as usual. 

            That said, I was thinking about patriotism and what being a patriot is all about.  Has the idea of patriotism been lost somewhere?  Has it been redefined as something other than, “One who loves his or her country”?  This hit hime for me the other night as my wife and I were eating in a restaurant.  There was a family sitting next to us.  It was a mom and three children.  One of the children, a boy of nine or ten made a very loud statement that really startled me.  I won’t repeat what he said but it was a very derogatory and offensive statement about one of the presidential candidates.  I’m sure in all his nine years on earth he has observed the political scene and was making an informed, though very terse observation.  Gimme a break!

            It took me back to the third grade.  Richard Nixon was the president and the Water Gate scandal had just been exposed.  We were in Social Studies class and Pat Perry, my cousin and class jester, referred to President Nixon as “Nixon”.  Our teacher, Ms. Hines went ballistic and corrected Pat-he was to refer to the President of the United States-the Leader of the Free World-as Mr. Nixon or President Nixon.  Not-Nixon!   Ms. Hines then began to tell us how fortunate we were to be Americans.  Ms. Hines’ lecture and points that day have stuck with me for over 3o years now.  Let me share a few reasons why I am a patriot-why I love America and you should too:

1.       At her very core America was founded as a bastion of religious freedom.

2.      America has been the greatest humanitarian nation to ever exist in world history.

3.      Many men and women have died to protect and preserve freedom and democracy for America and our allies.

4.      This is the only country in the world where with enough hard work and ingenuity you can accomplish just about anything you set your mind to.

5.      America is vast and beautiful in geography and people.

6.      Americans are free and that freedom isn’t shared by most of the world.

7.      In America, everyone has equal rights and they are protected under law.

8.      In America, I can preach the Word of God as He lays it on my heart without fear of governmental interference.  (I think Ms. Hines said, “We are free to worship as we see fit”). 

9.      I can keep and bear arms. 

10.  If I run afoul of the law then I have civil rights and am entitled to due process of law.  That just isn’t the reality in most other countries.

I could go on but I’ll stop there.  America has her problems yet I love her and am very humbled to have the privilege of being “born in the USA”.  And I’ll tell ya’ what- It isn’t cute to run down our country and her leaders.  As a matter of fact it’s anti-Biblical.  I Timothy 2. 1-2 reads,

            ‘First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”  NASB

            So yes, I’m a flag waving patriot who loves his country and the God Who has blessed her. 

What are some of the reasons you love America?