Sunday, October 11, 2020

Old Glory - Poem


 

As the soul of America hangs in the balance between life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness OR death, tyranny, and socialism...

I figured there was no better time to share my poem, Old Glory, than on Columbus Day. There is so much controversy over a simple holiday that we used to embrace and celebrate. This day should be celebrated because it honors a man, flawed and imperfect just like the rest of us, but who was led by the Holy Spirit and by the Word of God to discover a new land. The LORD had is hand on the discovery and founding of America which is why this nation has been blessed. For that reason alone Columbus Day should be celebrated.

This poem came to me after my good friend and illustrator painted this picture of the cross and the flag. When I first looked at this picture, I felt the pain of America's faltering heart represented in our flag. People believe the flag stands for race or privilege. Our flag represents a spirit, a spirit of freedom and possibility. Yet, people are crucifying the flag as an object of horror and oppression so the flag has no option but to return to the outstretched arms of her creator. Her only Savior.

Pray for America. God says, "If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land." (2 Chronicles 7:14)

Stand for the flag. She represents God's Divine Providence over our nation. 

Teach your children patriotism. America may not be perfect but she is good. And, if she fails and falls, there is no going back. We are the last frontier of freedom. Your children will only realize what they have lost after they lose it. Then they will weep and mourn because of their ignorance. They will wake up in a world they will not recognize because they have not lived or learned about the history of  communist countries.

VOTE. Evil triumphs when good people do nothing. The LORD says, "If I announce that a certain nation or kingdom is to be uprooted, torn down, and destroyed, but then that nation renounces its evil ways, I will not destroy it as I had planned. And if I announce that I will plant and build up a certain nation or kingdom, but then that nation turns to evil and refuses to obey me, I will not bless it as I said I would." (Jeremiah 18:7-10) 

Old Glory

They used to call me Old Glory
They flew me proudly from their city halls, schools, and baseball fields
On their front porch, I always felt like part of the family
All across America
From sea to shining sea
They would look up and see me flying proudly

I never touched the ground
I was folded reverently
In honor of the men and women 
Who died protecting me
Oh, how they loved me
So long ago
Young and old sang songs about me
Their voices warmed my very soul

Just a piece of cloth, 
Red, white and blue
Knit together by God above
An emblem of blessings and liberty

When America mourns a patriot lost
I fly half-mast to show respect
And for the brave who hold the line
On the battlefield or on the street
I have the honor of covering them when 
it is time for them to go to their eternal home

Gifted to their families is the greatest honor I could bare
Proudly I am framed in their homes
A small token of the grief we all share

God inspired my colors, whispering the design into our Founder’s hearts
It must bare the colors of His Son, in order for God to take a part
God’s inspiration is evident for all the world to see
The image of His Son woven into me

The stripes are for the stripes He bore
Red is for the blood He shed for all humanity
White is for His holiness of the One who paid it all
Blue is for His celestial home
The stars remind us He is the creator of them all

Some may argue otherwise and claim the colors are not for Him
But I have seen the best of men
Propelled by His Spirit
To act in a manner worthy of Him
They run towards the fire while others flee to safety
They take the bullet meant for a friend
They jump on grenades to protect their brothers and sisters on the field
They stormed the beach
Climbed the wall
Carried the fallen
They gave their life for all

Oh America, America why have you forsaken me?
America, America God sheds a tear for thee
When they tear me down, rip me to shreds, beat, burn and stomp on me
I weep and mourn but let them be
For freedom is what I stand for
They have the right to trample me
And if they turned on the One who died for them
I guess I know why they would eventually turn on me

They called me Old Glory
And I’m beginning to feel my age
My very life is slipping away, I’m fading, thread bare, a forgotten treasure
Mocked and slandered for all the world to see

America, America will you stand for me as I have stood for you?
From my view above, I see a remnant who still love and protect me
But I don’t know if it is enough to breathe new life in me
So, I implore you, my brethren 
Carry me to that old rugged cross and drape me on His outstretched arms
Return me to the One who inspired me
To the King of Glory
He is the only hope for me

Written by Yolanda Villafana