Being American

Today there was an article in the paper about people who had just become American citizens. There were people from South Africa, Guatemala, Albania and so on. All of them had chosen to leave their native country and come to the USA. After living here for at least five years, learning the language, taking an American history test , filing a 10-page application and being interviewed, they were finally taking the oath. Everyone of them was very proud to finally say "I'm an American."

It made me think of what it means to be American. I was born here. Being an American, for me, was a very significant birthright that I would not trade it for anything.

Being American means I can openly express my religious and political beliefs without absolute certainty that they'll not get me thrown in jail. Actually that goes for anyone on our soil, American or not. So, no - that's not what it means.

Being American does mean I an vote anyway I please in elections though.

In many nations of the world, Americans are seen as the strong and wealthy ones who might help them out of poverty and oppression.
I'm fairly sure the world still connects Christianity with America, regardless of what they see on
TV or what they think of Christianity.

This is a nation that was chosen by those who floated across the ocean as a home where God would be worshipped freely, without interference ,restriction or dictates from the Government.
The laws of the land were written by Christians. I don't what the new versions of textbooks say - that the truth.

So anyway, back to my pondering of what it means to be an American....
Well, to me , it means responsibility.
Responsibility to first of all, protect our purpose for being a nation...One Nation, UNDER GOD.

As an American, I have to do my part to preserve the Christian heritage which is the core of why we are free and so hospitable that the nations want to come here.

As an American, I must pray for the government officials who have been entrusted with so much of our future.

As for me, I cannot separate being an American with being a Christian. There are many who are not Christians, but are Americans, but without Christians, this nation would simply never have become anything good that it is.
It was the compulsion to worship Christ Jesus that brought them here.

What about the Indians? No I didn't forget about them. Who knows what this land would have looked like if European Christians had never had landed. . . but it would not be the United States of America.

Being an American to me is a gift from God. I love what she stands for. I love being knowing that any government leader of whom I disapprove is subject to removal in a short few years of time. I don't have to wait for their death...unless of course they are a Supreme Court Judge.

I'm an American, a citizen of the nation known the world over for freedom.