My lady has been good to me.

She has fed me, and fed me well! She has always believed in me. She has strengthened me. She has given me the opportunity to be better than I ever thought that I could be on my own. We’ve laughed together, and we’ve cried together. Most importantly, we have always loved each other through good times and bad.

But something has happened lately. She has given in to gluttony, and she’s gotten fat…   I mean really fat. She has given in to greed, and has created a lifestyle for herself that she cannot (nor can I) afford. She has become prideful and resentful. She feels entitled, and becomes angry when she doesn’t get her way. She has become unpleasant to be around. So much anger. So much hate. So much self-destruction. 

I’m not sure how we got here. I can make assumptions and even accusations, but that doesn’t make her any better. In fact it only drives a wedge between us. It breaks my heart to see her like this. I want to see her better. I want to see her restored. I miss her.

So what do I do? I do what a man of God should do. I pray over her, even when she doesn’t know it. I read the Word over her, even when she doesn’t want it. I bless her and treat her like a queen, even though she may not deserve it. It is these actions that help to bring restoration to a brokenness that is almost beyond repair. I must to humble myself and serve her and gently nurse her wounds. I cannot let my pride get in the way of restoring her to her former beauty.

There is faith. There is hope. There is love. But the greatest of these is love. I believe that there is hope for restoration, as long as there is love. I know that she will get better, as long as I love her.

Oh, my lady… my country… my United States of America… please God, help her to recover from her pain. Restore her and heal her. And help me to love her even when it is hard to do. This is my prayer.

Note: This post was entered into the The Writer’s Challenge (Topic: “The USA,” Intermediate level) at FaithWriters.com.
Update: This entry received the “Highly Commended” recognition in the FaithWriters challenge…