Be a grateful American

Glorious, clear blue skies seem a rare event if you live in Pittsburgh, PA. As I swam outside Saturday evening under a beautiful blue canopy, I was thinking about the communities being affected by tropical storm “Barry” … “the worst is yet to come” ... copious rains accompany this slow moving storm bringing flooding, tornadoes and devastation. I am praying for these communities & the families whose lives are in turmoil.

I was thinking how blessed we are ... and how grateful I am ... that in America we have First Responders & organizations like FEMA that are “prepared, responsive and committed”

Add to that the unsung heroes: volunteers & faith groups who selflessly go to the aid of people in need … often providing help from their own resources.

I am a grateful American.

“Gratitude is not only the greatest virtue; it is the parent of all other virtues.” ~ Cicero

Gratitude is the quality we want to see in the hearts of our children.

Gratitude is the quality God wants to see in the hearts of His children.

Wrong-thinking & wrong-focus has produced a society afflicted with and infected by a sense of entitlement. This mind-set produces a lack of gratitude & a disconnect from reality. When too many want to take & too few contribute … we all lose.

Freedom has become confused with “free”

Nothing is “free” … except God’s love and the air we breathe.

The mindset of earning ones way by merit: honesty, hard work, respect for self & others, personal responsibility, good citizenship, thankfulness and contributing to the world around us is what made America “great”

Gratitude is the quality that should distinguish being an American.

Lord, “Thou hast given so much to me … give one thing more … a grateful heart” ~ George Herbert