On Sunday we attended an amazing service at a local mega church. They had advertised an "America: Return to God" patriotic service and since we're between churches, we thought we'd go. The service was not lacking in patriotism or the spirit of God.
The choir dressed in red, white and blue, belted out patriotic songs like God Bless America, The Star Spangled Banner, and America, The Beautiful. But when the men and women in union started marching onto the platform, I couldn't hold back the tears. Young and old, men and women lined the stage. A youth who'd be returning to Iraq. An old sailor dressed in white who could hardly salute the flag without his hand shaking. A buffalo soldier. And a WWII Pearl Harbor survivor. I don't know if I'm getting more sensitive in my old age, or if in the recent years events I'm able to appreciate what these men and women sacrificed for our freedom. Even hubby had tears in his eyes.
We celebrated freedom and worshipped Jesus in a wonderful service and it seemed fitting since Christ gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I looked over at my 11 and 9 year old, singing and worshipping and wondered if they really understood everything that was going on. If they really understood about freedom. I don't see how they could. In fact, how can I even truly appreciate freedom when that's all I've known. Still, I'll celebrate this day like every other American and hopefully sit my children down for a moment to reflect on what freedom really means.
God Bless America. Happy 4th of July!
2 comments:
We just came back from our local town parade. My boys were in the color guard. The church choir sang all the favorite patriotic hymns and a few others. We dedicated a war memorial. I was so moved by it all. It could have been partly seeing my own young men in a uniform (they are in a group called the Young Marines) but I think it was more than that. I love this country. And it was wonderful to be around hundreds of others who were willing to sing and say so right out in the open.
That is so beautiful. Thank you.
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