With all of the buzz about Arizona's new illegal immigration law and all other illegal immigration issues running amuck these days, it is refreshing to see people from other countries with the desire to become Americans, do it through the legal process set up for LEGAL IMMIGRATION.
With the exception of the Native Americans (whom anthropologists would say immigrated from areas such as Asia and Russia at one point in time), and those born here in America, all are immigrants to this soil. My family came over as immigrants from Germany and England. I know that there are many people around the world that would LOVE to come to this country. But the reality is that this country cannot support everyone who would like to be here, especially if a large populace does not do its part to support their fellow countrymen by being responsible in voting, paying taxes, working, looking out for each other's safety, obeying laws, etc. So, I have no problem, as do most Americans, with people from other countries becoming new American citizens if done through the proper legal channels. It is the breaking of and disregard for the laws set in place, the attitude of entitlements, the thumbing of the nose of others who did do pay the price and did the work to become a legal citizen, and the lack of realization that a single person's actions DOES have an effect on a community and country, especially when those actions are multiplied into the thousands and millions, that causes me and others to become alarmed and upset over illegal immigration.
Additionally, it is so sad to see the many who are born here take for granted all the blessings they have here in this country. To hear their complaints over the smallest, or even, biggest of things causes my ears to hurt. I wish I had the money to take all American-born citizens to countries around the world and let them see first hand that although not perfect, how great of a country we have to call our own.
But, really, if one keeps in mind history and ultimately a Christian world view, none of this comes as a surprise. None of the sour attitudes, greed, selfishness, entitlements, etc. should be surprising knowing the state of man is a sinful nature. God has certainly blessed this country, but He can also take away those blessings if His name is not honored, and it looks like that very situation is happening right now.
And as a Christian, I know that my true home and citizenship is with my Lord....as a new creation in Christ, I am no longer of this world. As I temporarily pass through this world, I am grateful to be a temporary citizen to the country of the United States of America and will uphold it and pray for it as long as I'm alive and as long as it does not cause me to go against my Lord.
So, knowing this is my temporary home and that all that is taking place is under the sovereign control of God, even the planting of leadership, I have a sense of calmness and peace regardless of how this country turns out. We Christians read in Revelation and know the end of this world, thus we must know and realize that there will be great change around the world and most of it not in a positive way. So, when I see some of this negative change that reverberates around the world, I actually get excited knowing that we are a day closer to our Lord's return. It is also a prod to me to do a better job in sharing the Gospel and knowing the Word of God!
What leads me to all of this is a precious ceremony that I was able to attend last week. New and dear friends that have been attending our church invited our church's ladies Bible study group to attend the Naturalization Ceremony for the wife, Jessica. She is originally from Panama, and has been a permanent resident for several years. They decided it was time for her to apply for citizenship. Thus, she went through the process and here in Tucson, AZ, became a new American citizen on Friday, May 14, 2010!
It was such a neat ceremony to attend. There were about 52 persons from 23 countries who went through this process. At one point in the ceremony, the floor was opened for new citizens or their family to share about this experience....most were shy, with only Jessica and a husband getting up to speak. I video taped Jessica's speech but didn't get the gentleman's as I don't know him to get his permission....I wish I had anyway! He and his wife were from Nigeria and he became a citizen back in 2004. He was led to become a citizen because of the persecution....arrests and jail time...that he experienced only because he was a newspaper editor! He said he grew tired of traveling to other countries only to be stopped at security and have himself and entire baggage pulled to the side to be questioned and searched only because he was a Nigerian. Of course, we only have his side of the story, but I tend to believe him. He said the first trip he took after he became an American citizen, which was to the UK, the security just let him pass on through saying, "Welcome to the UK"....he couldn't believe the difference in treatment just because he was now an American! He went on to urge the new citizens to take on the responsibilities of being new Americans like voting and volunteering, etc., but also to talk with their family and friends in their former countries to educate them on how wonderful America is despite what negative things or rumors they heard. He closed by saying "America Rocks!". Again, I wished I could have taped it as it was better said than I typed. But, the meaning is the same here....we must appreciate what we have here and take care of it!
I hope I can post all of the video...not sure if there is a video limit...because they will help show the specialness of this ceremony. I had tears in my eyes the entire ceremony, and was so happy for Jessica and her family for this special accomplishment of hers.
A few of us ladies (and two husbands) from the church were able to attend, but there were many more there in prayer and spirit in support of Jessica.
Congratulations Jessica!
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