Every morning when school starts, we recite the Pledge of Allegiance, a privilege many don’t have. Someone proudly holds the flag high as we say the words together:

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.

My kids think America is great and I don’t tell them differently. They know the early American history, the one based on Christian values, the part of history omitted from classroom textbooks. They love the story of Christopher Columbus, led by the Holy Spirit to sail west into the Atlantic Ocean and discover America. However, Columbus’ greed led to his demise, allowing gold to steal his heart. They’ve heard of the early explorers, some establishing mission towns ministering to the lost and others terrorizing the natives.

They’ve heard the accounts of the first colonists to Jamestown, followed by the Pilgrims. The hard times, the daily struggles for peace and prosperity challenged them. The colonists’ dependence on God and then their faltering to follow Him left them wondering if this was God’s will. The first governing council reminded the people they were brothers in Christ and to work peaceably among each other. The new world filled with prospering colonies while they battled for their freedom.

During the fight for freedom, God led the new Americans every step of the way. He was there when battles were won and lost. He was there when the soldiers and sailors wondered if they would live to see tomorrow. He was there when the people voted for independence from Britain. He was there when they wrote the Declaration of Independence in July 1776 and each man proudly added his signature to the document.

The anniversary day of July 4 would become “the most memorable…in the history of America. I am well aware of the toil and blood and treasure that it will cost to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States. Yet through all the gloom, I can see the rays of ravishing light and glory.” –John Hancock, President of the Congress

America is still free but we are losing our rights every day by not standing up for what we believe in. We can’t be a great nation by disrespecting our government, but there is something we can do. Pray for them.

I shield my children from the news today of angry gunman, abused or missing children, and the devastation caused by terrorists. We talk about the sad world we live in but we don’t dwell on it. Instead, we pray about it, kneeling at night, asking for God’s protection from demonic activity. Praying for families who suffer from these tragedies. Pleading for chances to share God’s love in a tangible way with everyone we meet.

I’ve learned that kids live up to your expectations. If you think your kid is crazy and you constantly call him crazy, he will fulfill your expectations. If you think your daughter will cause you trouble when she’s a teen and you constantly tell her that, she will fulfill your expectations. If you complain about your husband to him and your friends, he will fulfill your low expectations.

Likewise, if you bash America and its leaders to your kids, they too will disrespect our country. It’s sad. We remember the good ole’ America and how it was founded on Christian principles as a nation under God, but we don’t talk about that with our kids. Instead, we talk about ISIS and live in terror because we are a country being judged by God. Or we complain about our choices for the upcoming election, wondering how we got to this place of selecting two people who no integrity to lead our country.

It’s time to change our expectations.

Stop expecting America to fail and start encouraging our kids to build a better future. Do you realize they are the future generation and if they think there’s nothing worth fighting for in America, then our nation will fall? Save the speeches and arguments about our fallen country for behind closed doors. Instead, remind your family of the early America, the one where men and women died to make this country a new nation, a better place.

Your kids need to know how great America was and how great it can become again.

Don’t let our country’s Christian beginnings be smothered by the anti-God agenda of our current leaders. Search for books that give a true account of our nation’s start to read with your kids at bedtime. We love From Sea to Shining Sea and The Light and The Glory because they read like fiction but they are true.

Spend a few minutes today talking positively to your kids about our country. Remind them that we should honor God and the authority of those over us. Pray with your family for our leaders and make wise choices for upcoming elections. Stand up for what you believe in by signing petitions or peacefully protesting. And remember, above all, to love our fellow Americans.

If you’re proud to be an American, thank a military service person for their service. Thank them for continuing to fight for our freedom. God bless America! God bless you!

Have a wonderful holiday!

If you return to the Almighty, you will be restored. Job 22:23