William Driver’s early years were less than stellar. He ran away from home one Sunday instead of going to church. Somehow, and much to his mother’s surprise, by age twenty-one he was promoted to captain of a ship bound for the South Pacific . His wife and mother made him a flag, which he proudly hoisted on the mast of his boat. At the sight of his homemade flag unfurling in the breeze, he exclaimed, “Old Glory.”
Captain Driver served his country well. His words have become an affectionate nickname for our beloved flag.
Photo by Austin Neill on Unsplash
On American holidays, we enjoy picnics in the park, family barbecues, and fireworks. We decorate nearly everything we own with red, white, and blue, and display flags to commemorate our independence from England. The people of the United States have endured hardships—wars, diseases, natural disasters, financial and economic downturns, civil unrest, and terrorism—to name a few.
But in recent years, our flag, a symbol of freedom, has come under attack. Our founding fathers envisioned a country based on “liberty and justice for all,” a detail incorporated in our Pledge of Allegiance. From the first to the current flag, its colors and symbols mean the same. The brilliant field of blue represents justice and perseverance. Fifty stars, one for each state of the union, gleam as bright as those placed in the heavens placed by God’s design. Thirteen bold red stripes symbolize valor and courage, and also honor the original colonies.
America’s flag stands for the hope of a new nation—perseverance, innocence, and purity—and the promise of justice and freedom.
Have we as a nation achieved the ideal of “One Nation Under God?” Not by a long shot. Wrapped in human frailty, we miss the mark. Yet, our God who created the vast blue skies, who secured the twinkling stars in the heavens, and who sent His son to bear our stripes, still beckons:
If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land. (2 Chronicles 7:14, NIV)
Photo by David Beale on Unsplash
God bless America, and may we ever remain the land of the free because of the brave.
Thank you so much for the historical context of the phrase "Old Glory." I am always enlightened by your posts!
I love the final picture in this post of the little boy holding the Bible and praying. It reminds me of passages in Matthew18 and 19 where Jesus teaches His disciples about the need to become humble and childlike. When things are feel scary, children know that all will be well if their father is with them (if they have a good father). They are comforted and can rest, knowing He is there. In like manner, when things in our country feel scary, I think God is asking me to become childlike in my trust that He is there. In that knowledge I find rest and comfort. Thank you for this post and timely reminder!