4th of July

Picnics and rodeos, parades and fireworks. Parks, parties, pools and barbecues. Floating the river or going for a road trip. Camping or going to the racetrack.

It's the 4th of July! And it's a holiday to celebrate! We celebrate our freedom by going out and enjoying the day in all sorts of different ways, and what better way? We've been given, by the grace of God and the sacrifice of brave men and women throughout history, freedom. And it's something to be celebrated.

 We have the freedom to gather as we wish, say what we want, worship as we choose, wear whatever we want, protect ourselves, and on and on. Without these freedoms we wouldn't be the people we are, the nation we are, but these freedoms aren't free. They come at a great cost.

Recently my brother called with a heartwarming story about Ella, my five year old niece. They were at the mall and walking outside an Army recruiter's office when Ella walked up to the recruiter (who was standing outside) held out her hand and said "Thank you for your service."
Already her parents have begun to teach her to be thankful to those who fight for our freedom. This fourth of July she won't look at the fireworks and realize that they're a memorial, a yearly reminder of the fighting, bombs, and gunfire that took place during the revolutionary war as we fought for our independence. But they are.

I don't know the history of fireworks or why they were first created but I do know that they can serve as awesome reminder. A reminder of the fighting but also the celebration. Every time you celebrate your freedoms on the Fourth of July (or any day) you have a veteran to thank for it.

If you were given a great gift you wouldn't put it in a corner and ignore it, you'd play with it, use it, admire it and enjoy it. In America we've been given the gift of freedom. Enjoy it, appreciate it, and thank someone who served in the United States military for helping to defend it.

Have a safe and happy fourth of July this year!

And since Fourth of July is still a few days away I just have to add that for my family July 1st is also a yearly celebration, it's a super important day to us kids because it's the anniversary of the marriage of the best parents we could have ever asked for. 39 years ago today they said "I do" and committed themselves to each other before God and man, promising to make the Lord the center of their lives and marriage; it's an example they've taught to their own children and countless other people over the last 39 years and one that they keep living day in and day out. Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad. I love you!