It is with a heavy heart that I write this week’s Country Roads as hearing and seeing all that is currently happening in Israel is so terrible. Prayers are with Israel and its people. My mind goes back to thoughts I shared a few months ago with a friend that I grew up with and attended school with. We both shared we were so thankful for God placing us in the country where we were born, the community and time we grew up in, and with the parents and grandparents we had.

Our country has been blessed during its almost 250 years since the United States of America was founded. My generation grew up with what has been termed as the “Greatest Generation” for parents. Most all of the families then attended church regularly and the hometown church pews were always full. Our schools taught right from wrong, sportsmanship and the usual school subjects, staying away from politics. Our high school even had a Y-Teen group that taught Christian values and was allowed to hold it meeting during school hours. We showed respect for others, helped where was needed and took pride in our properties by keeping them up. There was also a love for our country that was shown openly. My friend and I agreed, as we visited, how protected and safe we felt growing up.

We should all feel blessed for the freedom we still have in America. Though in today’s times, things are changing in America. What we grew up with in the 50s, 60s, 70s, and even 80s are now shifting and things we have taken for granted are being removed and taken away from us. We need to stand up for what we believe.

I’ll get off my soapbox, but I’ll never give up my Christian beliefs and support for my country. We need to think how we want the future of our country to be like for our children and grandchildren, the next generation.