What is this holiday worth to you? I hope that rather than just barbeques and fireworks, you can spend some time reflecting on what made this holiday possible–the freedom that those who have gone before us worked so hard to achieve. Freedom from tyranny, freedom to worship as they pleased, to have a government by the people and for the people.
Are Americans still desiring those same freedoms today? Should we let the government rule over each and every aspect of our lives? Or will we continue to honor our forefathers by working for what is rightfully ours? Independence is defined in Webster’s dictionary as, “Freedom from the control, influence, support, aid or the like of others.” While we all need to be dependent on others at times, it is good to reflect on what it means to be independent of the rule of a King. We are a democracy, “a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privledges,” and “a government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people“.
I am thankful for all those who have given up their lives to give the United States an Independence Day. Whether long ago when this country was formed or this very day defending our safety, all the while being away from the very family and friends you and I cherish spending time with on this festive Saturday. Say a prayer for America and give thanks for the freedoms that we still have which are lacking in many parts of the world.
**A side note: I will be gone all next week for a youth convention at the YMCA of the Rockies. See you Monday, the 13th of July!
WANT TO SPEAK WITH GRACE TO YOUR KIDS INSTEAD OF YELLING?
