A few weeks ago, my great-uncle Gus died, and my family was driving to Sacramento, for his funeral. While sitting in the car, I was listening to the CD of the "Concert for New York City." Looking out the window, I listened to songs like "America" and "Heroes," sung by David Bowie; "Salt of the Earth," by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards; and "Peaceful World" and "Pink Houses," by John Mellencamp. The part of California that we were traveling through, was mostly hills and farmland. I see a lot of farms every day, while on my way to school. That, to me, is America.

Thomas Jefferson envisioned a country, with agriculture as its backbone. Of course, the backbone of our nation is industry and manufacturing. But, farms play an important role in our nation's economy. Once, the farmland that I was riding through (of the San Joaquin and the Sacramento regions, and known as the Great Central Valley), was the number one producer in the world of several crops, including cotton. As I looked out on these farmlands, and listened to songs praising America, thoughts ran through my head. Is this really God's country? Is America the nation that stands as an example to the rest of the world? In the Bible, God wanted the nation of Israel to be that example. People have always said that this country has become His example. But, are we really? For years, most people haven't thought so. Many have said that we have turned our sight away from God. We kill unborn babies, and have kicked God out of our schools.

In the wake of September 11, people are saying, more than ever, that God is sending a message to the rest of us. I'm confused. A part of me seems to be saying that, "Yes. God is punishing us." After all, God has used evil people attacking good people, as examples before. But, there is another part of me that tells me, "No." As bad as this country is, we are still the greatest nation in the world. Israel turned its back on God, and stopped obeying Him. In reality, America has never obeyed God. Our country was not founded on the law of God. It was founded on Christian moral values, but, mostly founded on freedom. In America, we can practice any religion we please. It's always been that way. It seems to me, that we look at the negative side of many things. Hindus, Buddhists, Muslims, Catholics, Mormons, Christians, and yes, even the occult, can practice religion in America. And it's because of that privilege, that we are at liberty to keep the Sabbath and the Holy Days. Regardless of your religious beliefs, in America you are entitled to them, and without the persecution that is found in other nations. I'd love it if everyone believed as we do, but I don't think that it can, or will be that way, until Jesus Christ returns. So, until then, I want to do His work freely and openly.

Is America the example of what God's country should be? Not at all. But, because our country's laws allow me to keep God's word, I'm thankful. I'm thankful to my great-uncle Gus, who just died. He was on the first shipload of troops going to the South Pacific, in January of 1942, after Pearl Harbor, in WWII. I want to take this time to thank everyone who has fought, and died, for this great nation. I thank those who have defended the freedoms, which I hold dear. To anyone reading this, who has served in the Army, Air Force, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard, Merchant Marines, and to the police officers and firefighters, "Thank you!" You're our heroes.

As I go to Uncle Gus' funeral, where we will lay another great American to rest, I listen to "Freedom," by Paul McCartney. And, as I look out at the beautiful, rolling hills, I think to myself, "Yes, this is my country, and I am honored to live here."

© 2002 Nathan Qualls