Loving God - The Price of Freedom

I was first taught to read, and to follow each rule,
In a small Texas town, at an old country school.

We read of the heroes who fought to be free,
And sacrificed all to obtain liberty.

We learned to be honest in all that we do,
And to love God and country, and be thankful too.

On Sundays our schoolmates and teachers we'd meet
In a crude basement church, that was just down the street.

We sat on bare benches, and sang songs of praise,
With words I'll remember the rest of my days.

Oh, how we loved Jesus, and worshiped His Name,
When in true repentance to the altar we came.

While money was scarce, and worldly goods few,
It seems that true peace and contentment we knew.

We loved and we cared for each neighbor and friend,
And when we had needs, on Christ we'd depend.

The world has now changed, with hearts full of greed,
And houses stuffed full of more "things" than we need.

Our children are learning to put others last,
And, for some, patriotism is a thing of the past.

But still we have heroes who've answered the call,
To fight for our country, and give it their all.

They've seen despot's terrors, and war's worst nightmares,
And they all need our love, our support, and our prayers.

Dear Lord, bless our country, and help us today
To go back to our roots, where we worship and pray.

Forgive our trespasses, and help us to see,
We must all pay the price - for freedom's not free!

by Betty Jo Mings

© 2006