“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all." Francis Bellamy, 1892
Yesterday we celebrated Flag Day here in the U.S.A. and putting out my flag reminded me of the attached photo of the children at the Lutheran School in Merrotte, Haiti who were raising the Haitian flag at the start of their school day. They sang ‘La Dessalinienne’ the Haiti National Anthem as their flag was raised and it sent chills up my spine as it brought back memories of me standing at my desk as my class recited the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag at St. John’s Lutheran School in Seward, NE back in the day. Too often we take our freedom for granted as there are many children in our world who are not allowed to go to a Christian school and learn about our Triune God and share the Good News about Jesus Christ with those who have not yet heard. Spend some time today giving thanks for the many freedoms we enjoy in our country. I am closing today with the words from the Haiti National Anthem that were written by Justin Lhérisson in 1903.
“For our country, for our forefathers, united let us march. Let there be no traitors in our ranks! Let us be masters of our soil. United let us march for our country, for our forefathers. For our forebears, for our country let us toil joyfully. May the fields be fertile and our souls take courage. Let us toil joyfully for our forebears, for our country. For our country and for our forefathers, let us train our sons. Free, strong, and prosperous, we shall always be as brothers. Let us train our sons for our country and for our forefathers. For our forebears, for our country, Oh God of the valiant! Take our rights and our life under your infinite protection, Oh God of the valiant! For our forebears, for our country. for the flag, for our country to die is a fine thing! Our past cries out to us: have a disciplined soul! To die is a fine thing, for the flag, for our country.” Dear Heavenly Father, you have called your servants to ventures of which we cannot see the ending, by paths as yet untrodden, through perils unknown. Give us faith to go out with good courage, not knowing where we go but only that your hand is leading us and your love supporting us through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. Amen.
May God be with you…Jay