The Official Writing Challenge
BACK TO
CHALLENGE
MAIN
INSTRUCTIONS
how it works
submission rules
guidelines for
choosing a level
ENTRIES
submit your entry
read current entries
read past entries
challenge winners
Our Daily Devotional HERE
Place it on your site or
receive it daily by email.


TRUST JESUS TODAY

  • Share
  • how it works
  • Submit
Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Think (09/02/10)
I hate getting caught outside the stadium when the national anthem starts playing.

When I'm in my seat at the ball field, I spring to my feet, place my cap over my heart, and add my voice to those of the proud fans surrounding me, at times becoming teary-eyed in gratitude for my freedom.

But outside in the stadium breezeway, among the hotdog vendors, t-shirt hawkers, and souvenir stands, pride in country all but disappears.

You see, whenever I hear those first beloved notes, my ingrained military training rises again, and, no matter where I am or what I'm doing, the command comes unbidden ... "THINK".

Out amongst the crowded masses, however, I can't concentrate on the brave soldiers who carried our banner into battle through the years; I'm too disgusted at the army of my countrymen scurrying to and fro in front of me, ignoring the musical symbol of our nation's freedom.

I can't conjure up an image of six valiant men raising a tattered flag over Iwo Jima, because the spectacle of a mom and dad herding four screaming young boys waving over-sized foam fingers makes me wonder what happened to teaching children respect for their country.

When I try to picture my brothers and sisters in service who made the ultimate sacrifice, all I see are the hundreds of citizens too busy getting where they're going to stop for just a moment in respect of the men and women who secured the freedoms they seem oblivious to.

I should be thinking about the mere children leaving their families and growing up too fast in a foreign land, unselfishly defending the rights of their fellow humans to simply live like humans, but my attention is focused instead on the children in front of me who feel entitled to clamor for more, different, better, and the parents who cater to them.

Oh, yes. Better I stand safely in my assigned place in the stadium thinking my righteous thoughts, oblivious to what remains unseen outside.

Or is it?
The opinions expressed by authors may not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com.
Accept Jesus as Your Lord and Savior Right Now - CLICK HERE
JOIN US at FaithWriters for Free. Grow as a Writer and Spread the Gospel.
This article has been read 1363 times
Member Comments
Member
Date
Charla Diehl
09/09/10
There is so much truth to this that it's sad. We need to pray daily for this country and its citizens.
Sarah Heywood
09/09/10
Really good thoughts here and I agree completely. I wish that more respect was shown for our country and that all activity, regardless of where, would stop during the 4 minutes or so that the anthem plays. That's something I am attempting to teach my children. Very good!
Gregory Kane
09/12/10
I liked your final question
Shann Hall-LochmannVanBennekom 
09/13/10
U
You make so many good points in this piece. I've been brazen enough to whispher to the man next to me please remove your hat. I've never had anyone challenge me but I figure those who fought for me deserve that respect.
Barbara Culler 
09/16/10
Powerful words.


Like your last line indicates do we have to be in "the zone" so to speak, to be alerted to these issues?

Rachel Phelps
09/16/10
Awesome, Cat. As a dear friend of someone who did indeed leave home as a mere child and came back in a wheelchair, I often struggle with this in my peers. Thanks for the well-written reminder.
Amy Michelle Wiley 
09/17/10
Oooo, I skimmed over the first part of this once before and didn't stay to read, and now with brick throwing I read it all and discovered I'd missed a great article with a great point. I'll bet you could tweek this a tad and get it published in a magazine.