In an Indianapolis elementary school classroom, with hand upon my heart, and another raised while facing the flag of our country, I stand before thee, proclaiming an allegiance I am yet to understand, the year our President was assassinated. In the same city, many years later, while with others before that same flag of red, white and blue, I stand before thee, and swear upon your name, to “support and defend the constitution of the United States against all enemies, foreign and domestic…” With this ring I thee wed, I stand before thee, to profess my love and commitment to one who stands beside me: then and still. On the day after September 11, twenty odd years ago, I stand before thee, with an entire plant of co-workers in a moment of silence, to offer up prayers for those taken from us and for our country in those uncertain times. I’ll stand before thee one last time, in an eternal, heavenly realm to face a judgment for decisions, both wise and foolish, it will be no place to protest one’s rights, but to plead your mercy and rejoice in your grace, and to trust in the righteousness you have imputed, not the filthy rags of lost humanity. As I fall to my knees. Cf. Matt. 25:31-46
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