American Perspective
Like most of you, I’m really not paying any attention to the World Cup. But one thing that I have noticed is the scores of fans who have traveled to the U.S. to watch their teams play.
I’m not the first to mention this, because in great part, it’s so obvious—but those visitors really like it here.
The social media videos these folks have posted say it all—they are dumbfounded by the bounty we enjoy in this country. From the diversity of products readily available in stores…to air conditioning that is commonplace…and the food, ranging from Texas barbecue to Ranch dressing…these folks are in awe of this placed called America.
And all of it are things we simply take for granted.
Many of the visitors remark that the USA they are experiencing is nothing like what they’ve heard about in mass media, which focuses on narrow slices, and all negative.
That alone is worthy of note. Our country is portrayed very differently elsewhere—either from other nations who wish to downplay American excellence, or from our own anti-American media sources they receive elsewhere.
As with all things, the truth is in the middle—the country is not nearly as bad as some would want you to think, but at the same time, as good as it is, Ranch dressing is not for every meal (despite the efforts of these visitors to try).
In this week where we mark two and a half centuries since 56 brave men put their names on a document breaking from the then-most powerful nation on the globe, it’s good to put things here in perspective and take stock of what we have.
I am fond of saying that this is the greatest nation God ever blessed—because it is. We strive to create a more perfect union, not to claim it is or ever was perfect. But it helps for outsiders to point out what we take for granted, so we can truly appreciate what we have.
