IS AMERICA BROKEN

by CHARLES ROBEY
(MOODY AL USA)

PROLOGUE

Remember that old chichi” If it’s not broken, don’t fix it”. Well, America does seem to be broken, would you not say?

Tune into today’s news media, listen to the usual governmental debates, talk to your next-door neighbor, or maybe listen to your church pastor’s Sunday sermon. What’s missing in it all? Have you guessed it? Have you found it? American’s brokenness!

Just why, when and how in America, the land of the free and the home of the brave, did certain mainstays of America’s civil and religious history progressively break down?

Where did our free republic go wrong? How can we bring these cultural, religious and governmental mainstays back to life again? Go ahead and think about it because your remedy may just be the critical answer in bringing back our great republic, and the only solution to its survival. I’ll wait for your thoughts.

Now, on with the show. The show of words. The show of faith. The show of victory. Another fiction parable blog. That of an earthly story with a heavenly meaning, entitled “ Is America Broken.”

Lamentations 2:19 "Arise, cry out in the night, as the watches of the night begin; pour out your heart like water in the presence of the LORD. Lift up your hands to him for the lives of your children, who faint from hunger at every street corner.

I was preparing for bed when the phone rang, it was my one trusted compadre. The one friend I trust with all the updated political news breaks. The one who always has all the solutions.

“Glade to catch you”, he opened., Can you meet with the gang tomorrow for coffee? We all need desperately to make plans. I’ll tell you all about it when we meet’.

“Yes, I can”, responding rather inquisitively minded.

Unfortunate for me, I never made plans for that tomorrow gathering. Immediately, I was out like a light. I was more tired than I realized. Next came the usual, that being my dream world. Not only that, but by divine relationship the dream appeared to be a continuation of my friend’s phone call.

There I was, slap in the middle of a rather large bustling metropolitan city of time gone by. My dream fast forwarded quickly. I was mysteriously placed inside the city’s main attraction. It was where all the action just happened to be. Its structural signage read “Independence Hall, Visitors Welcome.”

Walking through the enormous main front entrance hall, the one housing all the historic portraits, statues, and secure documents, my dream gave me another surprise. There he was, waiting anxiouslyfor my arrival.

Who was this strange looking character? How did he know of my presence? On second thought, I’d know this distinguished gentleman anywhere. He was appropriately dressed for his day. His demeanor giving him away.

His long brown coat with matching vest, dark trousers, neatly starched white shirt, long socks and leather, buckle-topped shoes, gave way to the sign of the time. As usual, the bifocal glasses perched on his nose was a dead giveaway as well.

The more I looked on him, the more confirmed my recognition of him became. He just had to be one of the Founding Fathers of America, that well-known patriot who possessed many talents in leadership, philosophy, and inventions. But why this character was here in my dream and what his intentions might be were strictly beyond my understanding.

Grabbing my hand, without saying a word, we were off, quickly climbing up to the visitor’s gallery. Many like mannered, well-dressed onlookers of old were also seated around the gallery railing, for to get a better look see. Some waiting rather nervously, others somewhat subdued all waiting eagerly for the action. The onlooking impatient echoing outcry of the gallery could be heard through the entire facility.

Without ado, as the dignitaries were seated, this all-important convention was promptly called to order. Gossip being what it is, we all gathered from the scuttlebutt within the gallery that this all-important gathering was some sort of Constitutional Convention, addressing the issue of states’ rights.

As this convention proceeded, and the docket announced, many “yea” and “nay” voices were loudly overheard from the gallery, accordingly as the agenda move along.

One main point of initial discussion was the new document's "freedom of religion" clause, appearing to be without contest. They all seemed to be in agreement, judging by the many “yea." agreeing “All men have an equal, natural and unalienable right to the free exercise of religion.’"

After many an hour of discussions, with the delegates going in and out, and back and forth, the convention attendees apparently had reached a consensus. Obviously, from all practical intentions, it was all over. This newly written Constitution would forever be the law of the land.

From the gallery, the delegate's reaction was visually noticed. Some delegates were seen clapping, others were silently tearing up as they fidgeted about. Some cheers and a very few tears could also be overheard from the gallery.

With a final prayerful amen, the delegates all quietly walked out. Some of which waved to the gallery as they passed by.,

What happened next, you might rightfully ask? That’s not for me to say. You see, as all my other dreams lately, the plot never concluded. The dream was over. The scene had disappeared. I was back home milling around as before the dream. Nonetheless, much like you would probably be, I just couldn’t seem to shake the inner feeling of this dream.

Out of nowhere, mysteriously laying on my bed night table, my Bible was openly reposed to a sure-fire solution.

“ For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.”(Jeremiah 29:11-13)

To this divinely placed remedy, I give a big Amen shout-out! End of story, beginning of service.

EPILOGUE

I trust you enjoyed this bit of historic patriotic mussing. Remember this opening prologue excerpt,

Where did our free republic go wrong? How can we bring these cultural, religious, and governmental mainstays back to life again? Go ahead and think about it because your remedy may just be the critical answer in bringing back our great republic, and the only solution to its survival. I’ll wait for your thoughts.

Can you now give an answer to the above? With your permission, may I jump in to respect these all-important questions?

According to Dr. James McHenry, one of Maryland's delegates to the constitutional convention in 1787, a lady just happened to ask Dr. Benjamin Franklin at its conclusion, "Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy? Benjamin Franklin replied "A republic...if you can keep it. “

With that said, may I be so bold as to ask these questions.

Has our great country America, land of the free and home of the brave, turned its back on its Creator, our living God? Has this great republic now turned into an ungodly monarchy?

“Is America ready to reach out and seek God's face in repentance?" Is America now ready to give up all for Him? I don’t see anywhere in the Scriptures where God gives a warning and then tells us to do nothing with it. It's now up to us, who are called by our living Creator, to take action." (II Chronicles 7:14).

I trust your answers consign with mine. If not, when’s the last time you attended a city council meeting? When’s the last time you submitted a piece to your local newspaper editor? When’s the last time you supported a faith-based candidate for election? When’s the last time you helped the disabled transport to vote?

OK, let's all go to work. Amen! Now, for that all-important answer to the pending questions. Love God, love your family, and love others, in that order. Would you not agree?