Land that we love

I've been reflecting on my lack of enthusiasm about the 4th of July...
I love the get-togethers. Enjoy watching the fireworks. Love watching my boys' eyes light up even more. But I can't seem to get all "pumped up" like many people do. After some thought, I think it boils down to this: I'm thankful for my country - freedom of many kinds, etc. I'm blessed to live and raise my children here, no doubt. I'm INCREDIBLY indebted to the men and women who have/do pay a great - sometimes ultimate - price to protect us and our freedom.
But this is where it stops.

I may be shot for saying this, but I'm not proud of my country, in terms of where we are today vs where we used to be. I'm not one of the people that believes we started as a "Christian nation," either; no such thing. It was founded on some biblical principles and some of our forefathers were Christians...but this doesn't put a holy hedge around us or give us any special rights.

Honestly, I just feel an unsettled-ness in my soul when I see this country somehow "combined" with Christianity. And the attitude that we deserve blessing. God has indeed blessed this country in many ways, and of course I hope He continues to. I just pray, more than that, that we in this country turn to Him for security, answers, peace and hope. We have and will never find that in a leader, a document, laws or a nation.

So as I watch the fireworks, I want to dwell on two things:
One, of the sacrifices countless Americans have made in countless battles for generations to maintain our safety and freedom as a nation.
And two, of the true freedom that awaits us one day when we are free from this earth...including this "land that I love."
Because no matter how hard we might try, it's just not going to get better (read Revelation). But that doesn't need to be a depressing thought, because we will one day soon have a Country that we can be "proud" of and King we will worship. This is what excites me. And this is where our ultimate patriotism should lie.

Ok I'm done. :)