Faithful Patriots

When I first started homeschooling, I used Sonlight Curriculum. I loved all the books and all the different cultures studied. After all, like they said, America isn't the only country in this world; why spend so many years studying American History? This probably makes sense, as they market mostly to the expatriate crowd. Still, I gave it up after a couple of years. I told myself it was because of the Instuctor's Guides and the religion courses. (I don't think a person can call himself Christian and still manage to be anti-Catholic. That's hatred, which was not on Jesus' to-do list. But I digress.)

A few weeks ago, I was sitting in church, waiting for Mass to start. Before me, side by side, stood the American flag and the Pope's flag. I contemplated that for a few minutes, then I realized that's what I want for my kids. I want to be raising faithful, God-loving patriots. I want them to believe that they live in the greatest nation on earth. I want them to know the stories and legends of our heroes. I want them to know where they came from so they can influence where we're going. I want them to love their flag and the republic it represents. I want them to know the men and women who loved this country enough to give their lives for it.

May these early years breed in my children a love of God and a love of country. There is time later for looking at the world through another's eyes.