What Do You Believe?

I enjoy listening to National Public Radio, especially the weekly essay sent in by a listener called This I Believe. I wanted to send them an essay but I believe in so many things that it was impossible to choose just one, so here are a few of the things I believe.

I believe that faith in God, a loving family, and a few true friends are the three most important things in life.

I believe in America. I love the flag and everything it stands for. I still get goose bumps when someone sings the national anthem the way it was meant to be sung. I believe in supporting our troops and their families in word and deed and through prayer.

I believe in fireworks on the 4th of July, trick or treating at Halloween, not laboring on Labor Day, giving thanks at Thanksgiving, and Santa Claus at Christmas.

I believe in the Bill of Rights, but I don’t believe that our forefathers intended those freedoms to be an all-inclusive ticket to condone disrespectful acts like flag burning, indecent abusive language, or the right of every homeowner to have a submachine gun in their closet.

I believe voting is a privilege and those who don’t vote don’t have a right to complain.

I believe that Kentucky is a great place to live and raise a family. We have beautiful lakes, mountains, farmland, hayfields, forests, caves, and parks. I also believe we have to be more forceful about preserving our resources if we want them to still be here for our great-grandchildren to enjoy.

I believe that all children are a gift from God and that not only am I responsible for my own, but I also have a duty to other children I come in contact with. If I can help influence one child for good, I’ve touched future generations.

Finally, I believe in love. My mother’s favorite chapter in the Bible was I Corinthians 13, often called the love chapter. I’ve read it countless times and never tire of its wisdom and truth. If everyone could love more and hate less, wouldn’t the world be a more wonderful place? Wouldn’t we all be happier if everyone believed in love? That’s what I believe. How about you?