We may celebrate by hanging a flag from our front porch, having a picnic, some families hold their family reunion over the 4th of July. When I think of the 4th of July I think of lemonade, homemade ice cream, sun screen, sun glasses, hot dogs and hamburgers, sparklers, lawn chairs, fireworks exploding over head followed by ooohs and aaaws, and the smell of "Off" bug spray.
Towns far and wide hold their own parades. This photo is of my son and his grandmother waiting for the parade to pass by. Jordon was 4 years old, we had just returned from spending three years in Germany. July 4th holds special meaning when you have been away from your country for that length of time, you have a deeper appreciation for all things American and the freedom we take for granted.
Jordon was thrilled to see the fire truck and gather the candy they threw to the children lining the parade route. Our children grew up in and around Air Force bases so they were indoctrinated at an early age in patriotism and American pride. The sound of freedom for them was the sound of jets flying overhead every day. Jordon and Holly understand first hand that there is a price to be paid for freedom. It's not only the person serving who makes the sacrifice, family members miss out on precious time spent with their loved one as he/she serve else where.
Ironically we weren't allowed to set off fireworks on base but we lived just down the road from the local high school where the city set off fireworks every year. We would walk across the street and gather in the neighbors back yard where we had an excellent view of the display.
One year the kids and I went to visit a friend in South Dakota and watched the fireworks at Mount Rushmore. That was something to see! This picture was taken during that visit. Jordon and Holly were wearing newspaper hats made for them by a Japanese exchange student who was also staying with my friend at that time. I miss those faces! Once the kids were older, sometimes we would climb up onto the roof of our carport and watch the fireworks. A couple of years we drove out to a side road on base and watched from our car.
Old Navy started selling a t-shirt that had the flag on it, I bought each of us one to wear for our visit with family one year. That was one of the last years we were all together to celebrate. Jordon got older and declared his independence when he joined the Air Force leaving Holly alone to carry the burden of hanging out with the boring parents for several years. 
Eventually Holly declared her independence as well and spent July 4th celebrations with friends.My man and I went to visit his family last year for the 4th of July...I guess in a way we now celebrate our independence as parents of grown children. This year we will be able to celebrate again with our son and daughter-in-law. I'm making potato salad and I think I might take some raspberry lemonade. My man has been talking about buying an ice cream maker...perhaps we will.
I appreciate the freedoms we enjoy as Americans and don't take them for granted. But the freedom I have in Christ is even more precious and can never be taken from me. Freedom from the laws of sin and death, freedom from the bondage of my past, freedom from condemnation, freedom to worship in Spirit and in truth. I pray you have found this freedom as well.
"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." Galatians 5:1Happy Independence Day! I hope it's a safe and fun celebration.
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