Keep Singing

Recently my 4-year-old class did a two-week unit study on Space. It was really fun, and I learned things about each planet that I had either never known or had just forgotten.


We enjoyed learning about each of the planets, but Earth was our sentimental favorite. Because Earth, of course, is our home.


Space is, well, spacious. And with a 4-year-old it's smart to try to bring it a little closer to home.


So during our next unit we learned about the United States, our great country.


We begin each day in my class with the Pledge of Allegiance. After the pledge, we sing the chorus to America the Beautiful.

"America! America! God shed his grace on thee, And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea."


I have been in a stadium full of adults singing the National Anthem, and it gives me goosebumps, but hearing my class of little kids say the pledge and sing "America, America" has choked me up more than once.


They may not can tell you their exact address or even the name of the city they live in, but every one of them knows they are an American.


I think back to when I was growing up, a teenager, and even into young adulthood. I never really thought about the government that much. And I certainly did not feel that any decision made in Washington, D.C. would affect my life in any way. Maybe I was naive, too young to care, but that has changed.


Things are bad here. People are losing their jobs. Maybe you have lost yours. Maybe your husband has lost his. Mine did.


Perhaps this is God's way of shaking this country loose from its materialistic hold. Getting us back to what is important in life. The things money cannot buy.

Our family, our friends, and 4-year-olds in a small preschool classroom singing, "America, America, God shed his grace on thee......."