Spirit more than willing

Recently on this blog we covered the subject of unexpectedly wonderful experiences.

It has happened again.

A few weeks ago, through a certain mental fog, I heard TG say something about getting free tickets to a patriotic show that was coming to Columbia.

I confess I did not listen all that well.

On Thursday night last, even though he had already put in a ten-hour day at work, my darling acquiesced to a protracted (read: until the good light was gone) early-evening photo shoot at the South Carolina State House, with himself as the subject.

See what a pretty picture he takes?

It was on the way home from that event and already dark outside when TG remembered aloud, with a bit of a groan, that the aforementioned patriotic show was to take place the very next night.

I groaned too, having already planned to not go anywhere on Friday.

But Friday came and I put on my glad rags and looked forward to an evening with my sweetie, even though all I knew about the thing we were to attend was that it was named Spirit of America.

And the only reason I knew that is because on the way home from the State House on Thursday night, I saw an advertisement for it flash on one of the giant lighted billboards that relentlessly glitter and glow beside the Interstate.

Maybe you've heard of Spirit of America -- it's not new -- but I hadn't. My son is in the Air Force. This is a promotional show for the Army.

I won't try to tell you how breathtakingly wonderful it was. Only, if you have the chance to see it, don't think twice. Just go.

But I will tell you that several times during the show, while I had that thrill running up my leg -- something like Chris Matthews experiences when he hears the voice of his false god, Barack Obama, only much better -- from an excess of patriotic fervor, I also felt unsettled.

In the last eleven years -- and especially the last four years -- we have heard anti-American sentiments voiced loudly and vociferously on American soil, much more than at any other time in our history as a nation.

It worries me for my children and grandchildren more than for myself, but if you want to know the truth, I'm concerned about what it means to me personally as well.

I don't like it. Six weeks from tomorrow I hope we begin the task of changing it.

So as I watched Spirit of America, listened to the crowd roar when the band played God Bless the USA, saw thousands jump to their feet for several ovations, stood proudly as a Blue Star Mother when the USAF song was played, I thought about a lot of different things.

On Saturday I was still pondering all of it when I checked my emails. My beloved Uncle Dody had sent me a YouTube of himself playing the guitar and singing, from down in Louisiana.

Before you watch it I want to say how grateful I am to God for the family into which I was very fortunate to be born. These are warm, loving, generous people who would give anything to you that they had to eat or share.

You wouldn't have to do a single thing to earn or "deserve" it.

And they'd do it without a word about your general unworthiness. Their willing spirit has less to do with who others are and more to do with who they are, on the inside where it counts.

These are my mother's people. Southerners by the grace of God. I hope I am more like them than they are like me, and I hope I am more like them every day that I live.

They demonstrate the spirit of Christ -- and of the America I love -- to me in their actions as well as their words.

Happy Monday! Happy Week!

Comments

[Mari]

I'm so glad you got to see that show. It was in our area this Spring and we really wanted to go, but it ended up being the same time we were in KY welcoming Andy back from Afghanistan. I know I would have loved it.
I agree with your concerns. We need to be praying hard for our country - and getting out to vote soon.

[Audrey]

I love that video!!! I love the peace sign he gives at the end too : < )

[irene]

What a wonderful post, I love how you express your loves of God and country, without worrying about being politically correct. We worry too much. While I don't want to offend anyone, no one said sit there and be silent and don't spread the good. We should spread the good, and by all means VOTE!

[Donna (Texas)]

Oh Miss Jenny...As of this morning, it's 42 days left until we decide the future of our Nation. I've done everything I can think of to try to educate others about what this election means...Communism VS Capitalism....Slavery or Freedom...It's that simple.
God in Heaven, Help us.....
(((hugs)))

[Debbie]

Sounds wonderful. You probably couldn't get a certain segment of our society today to sit down and watch such a show.

Debbie

[glenda]

This show was in Jacksonville last year and I so wanted to go see it. Just didn't work out. I'm sure it was fabulous.
Uncle Dody has it right again....Proud to be an American. Amen to that. And I love the video of him playing Amazing Grace. We had it sung at Jim's funeral service, it was a favorite of his.
I would have loved to meet all of your family and sit at the table with them. I already like Uncle Dody!!
You know how I love to "talk" and eat food..............G.

[laura]

yes, we can only hope for change in a few more days....i am willing to go to the white house and help him pack his bags if necessary!!

[Sue the Hobbit]

I love your Uncle Dody.