Posted in Special Thoughts of Mine
Happy 4th of July! Wow, it's hard to believe it's already this time of year! As I sit here and reflect back, I think of all that is going on in the world today. So much sorrow, so much grief, so much heartache. Wars, rumors of wars, earthquakes, famines, wildfires, floods, innocent men, women, and children being killed just because they don't believe in certain people or principles set forth by their governments, global warming, drugs and violence rampant on the streets, the situation with fuel prices (even though there isn't a shortage), and so much more. It can be mind boggling! And yet, as I turned on the news a couple of days ago, they were actually reporting something good--something wonderful--something miraculous! Yes, 3 of our nation's men were being rescued from a South American prison of sorts where they had been held for more than 5 years. Hallelujah! It was through the efforts of many, and a bit of trickery involved I think, but the drug kings lost out and now these young men are now home here in America--safe, healthy, and with their families once again. It's amazing that they survived their ordeal, and yet, we serve a mighty God, and I know He kept His hand upon them during these many years of their imprisonment. Glory to His Name!
We take so much for granted here in America. We have so much freedom, and yet, we tend to forget those who fought and died for us to have this freedom. We can choose to go to any church we want to, we can send our children to public or private school or choose to homeschool them, we can wear what we want to wear, we can shop for what we need and want from any store, we have the freedom to speak our own minds--yes, we have many freedoms that much of this world has never known.
We should each be falling to our knees every day and thanking God for the freedoms that we have. Don't allow yourself to become caught up in the negativity that runs rampant quite often--who's running for President, who made the latest spoken blunder, what John Doe down the street said to Mr. Brown--all of that will take your focus off what is really happening.
I truly believe that much of our country has turned their back on God. Ouch! I heard some statistics on the television the other day, and while many Americans said they pray and go to church (if that's so, why are there so many empty pews in so many churches?), they don't believe that there's only one way to heaven. Oh, my goodness gracious--that's just wrong. The Bible says that there is only one way to the Father and that's through the Son--to get to God, you must accept Jesus as your personal Saviour!
So as we begin another year of celebrating the freedom we have, let us all remember where our freedom came from. Let us remember the good men and women who sacrificed their lives for us and our children, the good men and women continuing to lay their lives on the line every day--those in the war zones, and those on the streets of our homeland fighting terrorists and criminals to keep us safe. Let us remember that no freedom comes freely--there's always a cost. Let us ask God to protect our nation and bless our nation with His hedge of protection, and that He will have mercy on us and forgive us for the many times we've turned our backs on Him. Let us correct that horrible mistake and once again turn to Him as a nation and seek His Will in all things--both corporately and individually.
I hope you and your family have a wonderful, blessed, and safe Independence Day today. I will be home with my family and we will spend a simple day of celebration. I'll go over the Gettysburg Address and some of the Constitution (in a simple way the children can understand), and we'll pray together as a family for our country and leaders. We'll have a cookout (which may turn into a *cook-in* due to rains forecasted for the day), and hopefully be able to go to the Riverfront for the fireworks display tonight (if the rain doesn't cause a cancellation). A day of simplicity--yes, what a wonderful way to celebrate our freedom!
Cynthia Robin
