America, The Beautiful
by Katharine Lee Bates – 1913
O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America! God shed His grace on thee,
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet,
Whose stern impassion’d stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America! God mend thine ev’ry flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
I have been exploring the beautiful countryside God has landed us in over the last several weeks. Our country is truly gorgeous… As I ran Thursday, I saw lush forests over mounded hills. I saw field after field with ripe hay waving in the wind. I thought about (and sang) “America the Beautiful” and wept for our country and the darkness that has begun to prevail in our cities and our peoples. All things are possible in the Lord….. and He counsels us not to despair in the face of impossible odds, but to praise and worship Him in all things. The downward spiral of the United States over the last couple of years – the increase in violence, in depravity, in our failure to protect our children from the manipulation of really bad people (gender changes funded by our government for 6 year olds is one of them!) has brought me to tears. God uses even the really awful things that happen to bring about great good for those who love Him. Our only hope is in Him. I am praying that He will show up in a mighty way to bring about the change only He can do – however and whatever that might be.
Yesterday, I explored the Capital Forest (south of Olympia). The picture above is from a ridge high above the valley floor. I was so aware of His presence with me and was blessed with His peace… yes, even joy. The road up was unrelentingly steep – up and up and up. I saw dual hawks soaring over the ridge I was on… and Mt. Rainier far in the background. I am so blessed to have this season of rest – a time of unexpected down time and quiet after the past couple of months of upheaval. (Isaiah 40:28-31).