A Love for Ol’ Glory – by Jay Sikes

Saturday Morning Devotional

A Love for Ol’ Glory

Last December, I joined arms with some friends who have a transportation business.  Jokingly, we would communicate back and forth about me driving for them.  I was definitely always kidding.  We have several things in common, such as a love for Ol’Glory, but this transportation business was not one of them.  However, as happens many times, things went in a different direction than I ever imagined.  Eventually, God saw fit to place me in another position of ministry, in addition to my pastoring Mt. Zion Fellowship Church.

I began making long hauls (long distance pickup/deliveries) for the company as needed.  Due to another event, I moved from long hauls to working 3 or 4 days a week out of the office in Addison, Texas.  It’s been an adjustment being in Addison at 5 AM!  However, I now prefer those hours.  I see some pretty cool sights driving to work in the dark with little traffic, which brings me to the realization of what I want to share.  

Noticing Ol’ Glory

July the 4^th, Independence Day, is right around the corner.  I have always had great respect for Ol’ Glory!  It is so cool to see American Flags flying in the peaceful dark of the morning.  There are more out there than I realized in the craziness of the daytime.  Because of being able to see them in the beauty of the early morning with the lights shining on them, I now notice them in the daytime as well.  

I have 2 favorites: 

Ol’ Glory in the Neighborhood

One was right across the street from our house.  Chris and Kathy Jennings placed a pole in the yard with up-lights shining on the flag.  Chris was very meticulous about it.  The flag was always drawn tight so it would not flop between the flag and the pole.  It was the appropriate sized flag for the pole, and it was always replaced when it began wearing.  He would place the old flag in the original box it came in and store it in his garage for a later, proper, and respectful disposal. 

Chris and Kathy made it very easy to see their love for Ol’ Glory and the USA!  I saw the flag everyday – many times checking the wind from inside my house just by watching Ol’ Glory.  Unfortunately, the Lord had other plans and took Chris home before what we considered, “his time.”  We miss dear Kathy as well as it was just too hard for her to continue to live there without Chris.  I loved seeing their flag and the love and respect they had for it! Real Americans and great, great neighbors!  Thank you Kathy for blessing us so much with Ol’ Glory!  Much love!

Ol’ Glory in the Community

I see my other favorite flag every day as I drive to and from the office.  In Rockwall, Texas, just northeast of Lake Ray Hubbard, is a huge flag on a huge pole with up-lights.  Driving through Rockwall down I-30 towards the lake, Ol’ Glory stands all alone, high in the sky.  In the morning, it is absolutely breathtaking.  Pride and gratitude bounce off my chest as I love seeing it!  On the return trip home, Ol’ Glory may even stand out more as the lake is at the bottom of the hill on which She flies.  Again, breathtaking and amazing!  I’m proud to be an American!  Thank you City of Rockwall for loving and respecting Ol’ Glory and blessing me and, I’m sure many others.

Through seeing these flags, I have become more aware of Ol’ Glory.  She is worthy of the name!  I am constantly aware as She stands on high in many places I’ve never really noticed.  She rides high above the earth proudly waving on the top of cranes used in constructing roads and skyscrapers – many car dealers fly Her proudly – many businesses show their love for Her – many homes have Her displayed, etc…  She is indeed grand!

Angel Wings

There is something else Ol’ Glory does very well. I haven’t mentioned details about the transport company my friends own and where I work.  It is called Angel Wings Transport Services.  What is it that Angel Wings transports?  If you recall from the opening paragraph, things can go in a different direction than ever imagined.  Angel Wings Transport Services came about out of a need created by Covid.  Many people passed away from the pandemic.  Angel Wings transports decedents, which are the bodies of the deceased.

At the time I agreed to join Angel Wings, I saw it as an opportunity to help my friends with their business, to get me out of my home office, to provide a source of income, and most importantly, to minister to hurting people.  To be honest, it can be heartbreaking, nasty, unbelievable, and also, very rewarding to minister to hurting people.

Ol’ Glory at Work

So what does this have to do with Ol’ Glory?  We cover the decedents with something referred to as a cot cover.  Our cot covers are a blue print on one side and the other side is, you guessed it, Ol’ Glory.  When we remove a United States Veteran, we cover the body with Ol’ Glory.  Ol’ Glory lifts the family up. She’s special!  Pride flows from the family, and the experience for our team is so heartwarming.  Families take pictures and/or videos.  Some families will continue videoing until we drive away.  The families tend to fly high with Ol’ Glory. 

I wish I could adequately explain this feeling, because we are blessed to experience this with the family.  In all reality, the Ol’ Glory cot cover is one of my favorite flags as well.  Thank you Angel Wings for being veterans, loving veterans, and allowing me to see Ol’ Glory move the hearts of hurting people.

Our Nation

French writer Alexis de Tocqueville, after visiting America in 1831, said, 

“I sought for the greatness of the United States in her commodious harbors, her ample rivers, her fertile fields, and boundless forests–and it was not there. I sought for it in her rich mines, her vast world commerce, her public school system, and in her institutions of higher learning–and it was not there. I looked for it in her democratic Congress and her matchless Constitution–and it was not there. Not until I went into the churches of America and heard her pulpits flame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power. America is great because America is good, and if America ever ceases to be good, America will cease to be great!”

America is great and we have our independence because God fearing people sought God in establishing this great country.  However, to sum up what I perceive Alexis de Tocqueville is saying is this; we have our independence as a nation through our dependence on God Almighty.

Ol’ Glory is a majestic representation of our independent nation, “The Republic for which it stands!”  I pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America.  Ol’ Glory, She breathtakingly flies high!

Old Glory Quote

Related Posts

I would like to share an article about the American flag that I mentioned that flies in Rockwall, Texas. See the link here that shows pictures of them installing the flagpole and raising the flag.

Here is another post from Jay – Do You Wonder if You Make a Difference?

As the 4th of July is right around the corner, may we be ever aware of Ol’ Glory and Her meaning. May we be ever so thankful for our country and the Lord Who has blessed us beyond measure!

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Until next week…

Have a Grace & Joy-Filled day!

Susan

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“When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.” Psalms 94:19