The hope for America lies in the American people themselves.  I believe as a whole the people of this great nation are good and hard working.  As the schools have slowly ceased being the true centers of education, critical thinking and character development we, as a people, have become apathetic and lazy.  We have been seduced by popular secular fads in parenting, thinking and discipline simply because it is pushed by all the “experts”.  Meanwhile we have stood by while those who hold to traditional values are ridiculed.  In the process we have allowed ourselves to be lulled by a totally secular worldview.  Maybe this explains the current fixation on zombies.

A good example of how the secular/pop culture has affected society is to look at the fashion industry and pop stars.  Walk through any department store’s children’s department and you can’t help but notice little girls fashions mimic what is seen on TV, music videos, etc.  We recently had an experience greeting college students going to their spring formal (fraternity).  The young women, not all, but most looked like they were ‘working girls’ and I wondered out loud to my husband how the police know who to arrest these days when “modern fashion” has girls dressing like hookers.

But whose responsibility is it to guide young men and women as they mature to make wise decisions?  It is the parents’ responsibility not MTV. As a Christian parent, I have always taken that responsibility seriously, even when overwhelmed by life.  I knew that my child was a gift, on loan, from God and that He was watching how I trained that unique gift.  He created each child with a purpose and destiny and it is up to me to nurture and protect that in my child so she can discover it for herself.  As parents wake up and make that responsibility their number one priority from birth through young adulthood, we will witness a new generation of leaders emerge like never before.

How do we begin to engage the culture and politics when we know so little of our history – the true foundation of the nation – or how our system works?  Unless we get over our aversion to politics, start paying attention and holding our representatives accountable nothing will change.  Our children and grandchildren will suffer the dire consequences of our unwillingness to fight for their future and every future generation. It is not all about us.  We are the stepping stones to a better, freer and stronger America for each subsequent generation.  We are supposed to leave them more opportunity, not less.

My book, We the People – Know the Past, Understand the Present, Secure the Future, is a great tool to help Americans feel comfortable in getting involved. It will give you the history (truth), a working understanding of our system and build confidence to step out and get engaged in changing the nation.  This is not a suggestion but a declaration and what must happen in order for there to be a true legacy of liberty for future generations.

Next Weekend: The Sacrifices We Remember and Honor

Dinner Table Discussion Question: Discuss with your children how others can jump to certain conclusions about their character by what they wear.  Then examine ways to become true stepping stones for future generations.