Circuit Thoughts

This past week I was privileged to accompany some area youths to our nation’s capital. Washington D.C. is a city that will take your breath away, literally. According to my pedometer we averaged about 12 miles a day walking. You walk everywhere, so I was out of breath quite a bit.

We saw many sights that I never dreamed I would ever see. I saw the Declaration of Independence, and no Benjamin Gates did not steal it (the movie was fictional). I saw the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and I got a glimpse of the 1297 Magna Carta. We saw monuments and memorials such as Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, Iwo Jima, Korean, Vietnam and WWII. (WWI is in Kansas City). We went up in the Washington Monument and walked to the National Cathedral.

There were a few things I didn’t see. We didn’t see a riot, nor any large protests. The one protest we saw was a lady standing in front of the White House with a placard. Behind her on the sidewalk were Jehovah Witness’s offering Watch Tower periodicals and people sharing about their concerns for the Ukraine and other places in need.

In fact, as we were waiting to go up the Washington Monument, I helped a man take a picture of himself and his electric scooter. He said, “Thank you, for your kindness.” Now, I have had many people thank me, but never have they said, “for your kindness”. I then sat down and looked around. In that area, surrounded by the 50 flags were people talking in probably at least 25 different languages. Some were eating ice cream from the vendors or drinking sodas. Many were getting their families together to take a picture or just to sit down and rest. The children were laughing, and the adults were smiling.

Then I reflected the preamble of our Constitution (I know, my thoughts go rogue sometimes). The first words, WE THE PEOPLE. I realized that I was watching exactly what our founding fathers were talking about. Not we Americans, or we English or we Missourians, it is we the people.

We the people were together, from all over the world, laughing having fun and enjoying the day together. I couldn’t help but remember Isaiah 56:7, “Even them will I bring to my holy mountain, and make them joyful in my house of prayer: their burnt offerings and their sacrifices shall be accepted upon mine altar; for mine house shall be called an house of prayer for ALL PEOPLE (emphasis mine).

Now, I’m not saying that Washington D.C. is a holy place, but it was built with high ideas in mind. The idea of We the People and, All men are created equal, shines in that city. The news will tell you a different story. But honestly, the protestors only get loud if there is a camera about. In that city, I saw what we are supposed to be, not what the media tells us we are.

If you get a chance, you must see this city at least once in your life. For me it was an eye opener and gave me a greater appreciation for our God Blessed land.

See you in church.