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Spiritual Sundays ~ Bless our Nation


Like so many Americans, my hubby and I ate dessert in front of the T.V. while watching Glen Beck earlier this week. Beck made a good point on that particular program about the values his parents passed down to him. I thought about it. My parents passed down values to our family that, I feel, made us better Americans. Like Glen, I had a dad who began his day in prayer on his knees. You had to get up very, very early to see him in this posture at the kitchen table, but he was never ashamed to humble himself and pray to God. My mom taught me to never take my religious freedom for granted. She modeled her faith by involvement in church, our schools, our town and in our neighborhood.

I saw hard work principles in my husband’s parents. My mother-in-law was frail in health, but she always prepared a homemade meal for her family spending hours in the kitchen. She was grateful for my father-in-law who worked hard at his job and never missed a day even on heavy snow days.

I wonder how you would answer? What values did your parents pass down to you that makes you a good American?

I asked my husband what he thought we passed down to our children. I agree with his answer: “commitment.”

I look forward to hearing from you and reading your comments.



Special thanks to Ginger and to Charlotte, hostesses of Spiritual Sundays, and also to all the inspirational writers there. Each weekend you bring refreshment and encouragement in the faith!

Comments

  1. Hmm ... my parents passed down the values of responsibility, respect, and taking the time to vote. I guess voting isn't a value but it's important.

    Love you,
    Debbie

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  2. Both of my parents shared the importance of working hard and having a good work ethic. Not just calling in when you need a break or stuff like that. I started working when I was 14. Paid for my own car and insurance too.

    Commitment is a wonderful value to witness and be given! I pray we are teaching our children the importance of commitment!

    Love you Mary

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  3. Unconditional Love, loving us for who we are, loving us in the midst of adversity, loving us for our good and our not so good points…. but insisting that we take responsibility for our behavior. So unconditional love and responsibility,that would be my answer on what values did my parents pass down to me. I don’t know if that makes me a good American, but I think so.
    Blessings,
    Virginia

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  4. hese ae all good, and they are what I also grew up with:
    hard work
    commitment
    responsibility
    persistence
    humor
    discipline
    respect
    and beyond everything...

    faith in God... it's what made my parents, and it's the same for us!

    All of these values are what I pray would grow in us and in our nation, and so many seem sadly lacking today. This is a good reminder to pray harder for God's value system to grow, in and through each one of us.

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  5. Wonderfully thought-provoking, Mary! I, too, enjoy listening to Glen Beck.
    I don't recall my mom and dad ever speaking about their work ethic -- rather, they taught by example. My GM and I were talking about work ethic just this week; what a shame so many of our younger generation seem to think the world owes them for just showing up.

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  6. I think my family passed down the values of commitment to family and God. Good hard work, honesty, and love for others...lots of love.

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  7. Hi Mary,
    My father in particular stressed being a person of integrity. I don't believe Daddy would have lied even if he was paid to do it. Respect and honesty, I guess would be the things both my parents taught me. Thanks for your thought-provoking post and thank you for your visit. Have a lovely weekend.

    Blessings,
    Sandi

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  8. Wonderful post...I was blessed with parents that believed in family and hard work. I think the word that describes their values would be loyalty. I never questioned their love for me.

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  9. my parents passed on fear and shame...God passed on forgiveness and mercy....I passed on love and compassion to my kids...

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  10. My parents passed on faithfulness, the great examples of caring for the elderly parents and relatives in their family, and - most important of all - a saving faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.

    Thanks for an interesting post and a good reminder to continue to pray for our nation and our leaders! :)

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  11. My dad passed on to me the value of always voting. I used to ask him who I should vote for, because I knew he did research on all the candidates so he could make the best possible pick.

    Thanks for this encouraging post!

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  12. What parents pass down to their children is so important. I'm thankful for the values my parents passed to me, especially my mother. I wish everyone in America would watch Glen Beck. I know there are some who hate him but I'll bet they have never actually watched an entire show. He is so well informed and entertaining too. I love to watch him.
    Have a good week.
    Charlotte

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  13. My parents gave me a good work ethic. And how important it is to vote.
    God Bless,
    Ginger

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  14. Responsibility, sacrifice, faith in God and love are what my parents modeled sister Mary! I just pray that I'm reflecting those deep values they shared with my bros. and I.

    Your MIL reminded me of myself, hurting but takes joy in preparing things for my family. Thank you sister Mary for your prayers and "mineral ice?" Why didn't I think of that? I also loved "Tiger Balm" except that gave me blisters when I used to apply it on my neck!!!

    Dessert? In front of tv? I could picture you both sweeter than that dessert :) I wish I can join you and I'll bring coffee myself :)

    Take care sister Mary. I'm feeling a little better. I'm so grateful how quickly my friends/sisters/bros. in Christ fold their hands and bruise their knees! Sooo grateful...Glory be to our Father!!!Love and blessings!

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  15. My parents were hard workers, and people of faith. They are both in heaven now, but their legacy lives on in all nine of us children...

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  16. Respect, loyality, trust, and committment.

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  17. Great message Mary! Food for thought. All that has made me who I am today I gleaned from my Grandparents:

    reverencing GOD
    prayer
    work ethic
    sacrificing
    standing together as family
    honoring your marriage
    being responsible and respectful
    respecting the elderly

    And Grandma definitely taught me through her lifestyle how to be a lady at all times.

    I think I saw that program on Beck. Love you dear friend.

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