Contributing to The Spirit of America

About once a year I have had the privilege of being a contributing author to a book. In years past, I contributed to such books as Ready to Wed, Supporting Families Through Meaningful Ministry, The Christian Leadership Experience, and Spiritual Mentoring of Teens as well as others.

My latest contribution is in the new book, Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America. It releases today, and the stories within its pages are inspiring, to say the least. I think the timely nature of this book is important to many of us right now.

If you’re like me, this election cycle has been challenging, frustrating, confusing, and disheartening on many levels. Although our system seems to be terribly flawed, I have chosen to remain consciously aware that we are still a very great nation. We are still a country with so many freedoms, so many rights, and so many blessings that we often take for granted.

America truly is a great country, with people who are generous, patriotic, creative, industrious, and more. We are nation of heroes, a country who helps other countries and other people who are need help. We are a country of traditions and a culture that has a Judeo-Christian foundation at its roots. All this makes our country strong.

When I travel to other countries and see what they’re dealing with–the corruption, the excess or the lack of things we take for granted–its typical for me to breathe a sigh of relief when I get home to the United States of America and am again able enjoy all that we have. My husband and I have been to more than 40 countries, and we always return home with a new found appreciation for America.

But our flawed system can cause us to feel cynical, even disillusioned and angry at times. It is then we need to find a little encouragement, a little inspiration that can align our thinking back to center and give us a fresh and positive perspective once again.

My story in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America is called “Summoned to Court.” It’s about an experience I had on a jury, a lesson that showed me what an amazing judicial system we really have. The other stories in this book can help realign our thinking as well, so I’m proud to be part of it.

So if you need a little inspiration about our country right now or in the future, pick up Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Spirit of America and be encouraged. Here’s the link.

What has helped you to keep your perspective on our great nation? I’d like to know!