July 4, 2010

• {INDEPENDENCE. of a few kinds}

  
    
  
  On 3 July 1776, John Adams wrote home to his wife Abigail, excited that the Continental Congress had finally voted for independence the day before. He said:
  
  “The Second Day of July 1776, will be the most memorable Epocha, in the History of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated, by succeeding Generations, as the great anniversary Festival. It ought to be commemorated, as the Day of Deliverance by solemn Acts of Devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with Pomp and Parade, with Shews, Games, Sports, Guns, Bells, Bonfires and Illuminations from one End of this Continent to the other from this Time forward forever more.
  
  You will think me transported with Enthusiasm but I am not.—I am well aware of the Toil and Blood and Treasure, that it will cost Us to maintain this Declaration, and support and defend these States.—Yet through all the Gloom I can see the Rays of ravishing Light and Glory. I can see that the End is more than worth all the Means….”

  * * * * *
  
  I never realized until this year that the 2nd of July was when the Declaration was signed, however, the 4th was when it was made public. Making the reason why we celebrate the 4th.
  
  We were at one of these such great Anniversary Festivals yesterday… melting in the heat, I mean, making memories despite the heat.
  
  Kate and Ben were at their play practice and we went with just Emma for a few hours, but decided to go back after picking them up. We debated it at first – going back, or going home. But even though it was scorching hot, and Shayne and I were both extra tired from a long, long week, and I spend a good deal of time in the bathroom no matter WHERE we happen to be {7 month baby inside does that to ya}… still, what swayed us was wanting our kids to CeLeBraTe this day! It’s one worth celebrating. To stop and remember. To hoop& holler and oohh&aahh. To do things you wouldn’t normally do – like standing around sweating buckets while your kids get stars painted on their face by the girl scouts {that don’t exactly resemble stars}. To me, it’s worth the sacrifice of tiredness, heat, and even public restrooms so that the joy and pride we have in this country will, and hopefully is being passed on to them. That someday they’ll want that too for their families, cause…  “this is what we did when we were kids!”  
  
  Over dinner at a little hamburger/ milkshake joint {that played “Lollipop” over and over on the jukebox that I’ve now had in my head ever since} we told the kids the story again of why America was founded. Why they wanted freedom from England. Though my husband’s Canadian he makes a better American history teacher than me {don’t ask about the details I was inserting… I finally just shut up}. I loved hearing him talk with such conviction as the kids sat wide eyed and obviously fascinated.
  
  Interesting point he made to me later , not the kids, is that two of the main things our founding fathers were fighting for/ against…. religious freedom and lower taxation are two of the very things we still fight for/ against today!
  
  Amazing how life cycles – - times may change, but people never do.

   
  
  Still, despite her flaws I love my America.
  
  Does she need God?
  Of course.
  But hasn’t she always?
  Though some might not like it -
  You cannot change.deny.or alter her history.
  She was established upon the truths of God’s Word…
  Just read the Declaration of Independence! {wow}
  
  As Benjamin Franklin said : “The longer I live, the more convincing proofs I see of this truth: ‘that God governs in the affairs of men. ‘And if a sparrow cannot fall to the ground without His notice, is it probable that an empire can rise without His aid?”
  
  And though this day sends me digging through my closet looking for the brightest red and white and blue I can find. {though I had to go with plain white – since that’s all that would fit}. To teach my kids {more} what it’s all about. To sing at the top of my lungs {and with conviction}, “God Bless America,” and feel that rush of emotion {with tears burning my eyes} as I watch our soldiers parade past in uniform…
  
  I’m thinking this afternoon about another kind of “declaration.” A different sort of freedom, though similar – because it is freedom from a tyranny that seeks to rule and ruin and control my life. {eph.6:12}
  
  And I’m reminded that even though I’m not taking down empires and setting up new ones, I’m far from a world leader, or even a remotely good one, and I’m not physically liberating people or fighting battles – - – YET. I am building something in my own right. Within the 4 walls of my home. Within the inner chambers of my heart. There is a battle that has freedom at it’s core. And if I’m to be an OVERCOMER — like the the founding fathers of our nation were – I better make sure I’m living by the same motto… “In God We {I will} trust.”  

  He is the ONLY place true freedom is found.

  “To open the blind eyes, to bring out the prisoners from the prison, and them that sit in darkness out of the prison house.” {isa.42:7}
  
  “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” {gal.5:1}

  “Blessed are those who find strength in you. Their hearts are on the road that leads to you. Blessed is the man that makes the Lord his trust. {ps. 84:5. ps.40:4}

  {Shayne and I read some of these verses ^ this afternoon. love them.}
  
  
  
  
  {taken today after church}  
  
  Was really moved by these words as we sang them in church this morning….
  
  While the storm clouds gather far across the sea,
  Let us swear allegiance to a land that’s free,
  Let us all be grateful for a land so fair,
  As we raise our voices in a solemn prayer.
  
  God Bless America,
  Land that I love.
  Stand beside her, and guide her
  Thru the night with a light from above.
  From the mountains, to the prairies,
  To the oceans, white with foam
  God bless America, My home sweet home.”

  * * * * *
  
  Thinking too of another kind of independence that was established some 14 years ago on this day….
  seems so short and yet so forever all at the same time…
  
  the day Shayne asked me to be his wife!!!   

  
  {courting days}
  
  {wedding day}
  
  {married days}
  
  no. we don’t always see fireworks when we kiss. we don’t have “the perfect marriage” like that.
  but I’m glad regardless of what we’ve walked and weathered together… when it’s all said and done…
  he’s still the one I want to be kissing for the rest of my life!

  * * * * *

  hapPy engagement anniversary uS! and haPpy birthday America!!

  now to start gathering blankets.kiddos.and mosquito spray to go watch some {real} fireworks!!

  
  ¸.·´¸.·¨) ¸.·¨)
  (¸.·´ (¸.·´ (¸.·¨¯`♥ amber.

   

   
  

  • 6:10 pm
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