O! thus be it ever when free men shall stand
Between their loved home and the war’s desolation;
Blest with vict’ry and peace, may the Heav’n-rescued land
Praise the Pow’r that hath made and preserved us a nation!
Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just;
And this be our motto, “In God is our trust!”
And the star spangled banner in triumph shall wave
O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave!
This is the second verse of the National Anthem, the Star Spangled Banner.
Gardeners, farmers and others that work the land are often the most aware of what a precious resource we have been allowed to tend. We mow, plant, weed, and fertilize. We take an old homestead and revitalize or a new plot of land and energize.
I've often thought those of us who work the soil spend more time contemplating how blessed we are to have been situated on this rich abundant portion of the United States. We may complain about too much rain, not enough rain, snow, ice, tornadoes, and flooding but we've actually "got it made in the shade."
I may be prejudiced, but how much more perfect can life be where so much is given back to those that toil this soil. As I look out my window, a vast green landscape is before me, sprinkled with flowers in every color of the rainbow. The soy beans, corn and wheat are growing in every field within view; soon to be harvested to feed many.
In about a week, we will be watching parades, waving flags and enjoying fireworks. Join me in being thankful for this farm country and our privilege of living right here! Thankful to all those who've made it possible.
We do not look out on bomb craters, we do not nurse starving children, we do not have to beg for the things that make life so wonderful here in the Midwest, we do not have our yards and fields trampled by angry men.
My children and grandchildren can be in public and not be the target of a suicide bomber, my family can visit one of many parks and not be arrested, we can hear and see the fireworks and not mistake them for bombs.
God has Blessed us abundantly over the land of the free and the home of the brave!
(Image from web)
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