In the past every American family, every American community, every American church, every American school, everyone knew there was a package that we valued and that we vowed to pass on intact to the next generation.

And we did it.  There was something stable and consistent from one generation to the next.  You could ask almost anyone, even dissenters to the culture, and they would know what was in the package.  Individually and collectively we stood for something, and we made absolutely certain that our children knew what it was.

What was it?

and

Does it exist today?

The package was simple but deep, solid and constant, and relevant.  Everyone knew what was expected of him, and most people fulfilled that expectation.  Children learned at an early age what was right and wrong, and they saw that everybody agreed on what was right and wrong, making it hard to get away with wrong.

Responsibility, hard work, education, faith, and sacrifice for others made the family strong and the community strong and the country strong.  And everyone knew they could count on everyone else to fight off any intrusion that might weaken what they believed in and agreed upon.

“Little House On The Prairie” and “Love Comes Softly” and “The Waltons” are not fairy tales and made-up dreams, but instead they capture for us the heart and soul of the way it was in this country.  If these stories idolize the ideal, they accurately reflect the courage and persistence that dreamed up this country in the first place, and kept it going and expanding against all odds and all enemies.

What we feel when we watch these pioneers of the past, is the central ingredient of “it” in the title of this piece.  “It” was passed on through families—strongholds—fortresses against every evil.  They worked harder than we do, but they did not let busy-ness and stuff and unwholesome entertainment pull their families apart.

Now, does “it” exist today?

Yes, it does, if . . .

If you feel something good when you see the American flag.

If you feel something good when you hear “The Star-Spangled Banner.”

If you feel something good when you see a family together.

If you feel something good when you open your Bible.

If you feel something good when you see someone in military uniform.

If you feel something good when you see movies like the above.

If you feel something bad when you watch anything that’s not good for you.

If you feel something bad when someone you know goes the wrong direction.

If you feel something strongly enough to make a difference in someone’s life when it is not convenient.

If you feel something strongly enough to right a wrong because you know right from wrong.

If you feel something strongly enough to still take time with God and time with a young person.

If you believe we can recapture what we had in this country, then we still have “it”.

Then “it” does exist today.

Then we can pass “it” on again.

It’s up to you and me.

AND MAMA TOO.

When I was very young, on the way home from church I shared the Bible verse I learned in Sunday School, “We love Him because He first loved us.”

When I was in my 20’s, teaching fourth graders in a Christian school 1500 miles away, I heard my dad say numerous times on the phone, “I’m so glad you’re telling those little lambs about Jesus.”

Someday I’ll sing with Mom and Dad,

“I love you, Lord, and I lift my voice

.       To worship You.  Oh my soul, rejoice.

Take joy, my King [My Heavenly Daddy], in what you hear;

.       May it be a sweet, sweet sound in Your ear.”