Why God Made Me a U.S. Citizen

For my foreign readers: Don't miss the note at the bottom.

In 1979-82, we lived in Germany where my husband’s tank company helped guard Europe against Communist aggression. I led a military wives Bible study at the post chapel, and one day some visiting American businessmen's wives joined us. 

During the study, a military wife complained that her husband would miss their son’s birthday because he’d be out in the field training. Several of us nodded with understanding, but one of the visiting wives proudly explained that her husband would never take a job that made him miss a holiday.

You could have heard a pin drop. 

But after a few moments of silence, one of the military wives looked at the businessman's wife and politely said, “Our husbands give you the freedom and safety to enjoy your holidays.”

This visiting woman didn't understand that we military wives might complain, but we were proud of our husbands' work.

I think this beautifully illustrates my feelings about my country, the United States. I acknowledge its flaws and often use those flaws as examples in devotions. But if someone criticizes my country, I'll be the first to defend it.

I feel blessed that part of God's plan for me was to be born in America at this time in history (Acts 17:26-27). 

I thank God for His choices and I want to fulfill His purposes (Ephesians 2:10). God's remnant people in America are doing our best and there are many things past and present that make us loyal to the U.S.

💙  For more on the perspective of Acts 17:26-27, see Your Place in History and the Your Place in History Bible study. 

💙💙💙 

Important Note: I received an email recently from a foreign reader, and she assumed that I agreed with the biased news reports about America broadcast in her country. It made me realize that other of my foreign readers might be under that illusion as well. 

So please let me explain a few things: Most Christians in America don't identify as “Christian Nationalists” or “Maga Christians.” We identify as God's people who vote for platforms that best represent biblical values. Remnant believers vote for policies, not personalities. There are rude, arrogant, foolish politicians on both sides of the aisle. At this point in history, neither political party represents Christianity, but the Republican platform does far more than the Democratic platform in areas that should be priorities for Christians: saving unborn babies, preventing mutilation surgeries on underage children, and helping retain freedom for Christians to share biblical views.

Just like the military wives I described, American Christians have huge disappointments in many areas, but please don't assume that we agree with news reports that describe our country as evil.