Land of the Free and Home of the Brave

Today I had the privilege of celebrating our nation's birthday at Bell Shoals church. They had an amazingly touching service, and it was evident that those involved performed with honor and love for our armed forces and their families. I was humbled and overcome to be worshipping my Lord and Savior with a congregation full of other Christians, with no fear of persecution. By the grace of God and the death and resurrection of my Savior, Jesus Christ, I am forever free indeed!

Throughout the entire service, feelings of gratitude welled up inside of me for those that have served and those that serve today. Please remember that they do much more than lay their life on the line..... they leave their loved ones for months, sometimes a year or more; they miss anniversaries and birthdays and first steps; they work, hundreds of thousands of miles away from family and friends, while we BBQ and shoot fireworks. While they are gone, their spouses are the sole support for children, they give baths and cook meals and clean house all by themselves, unable to get away for an hour or two for relief, unless they plan ahead or have a babysitter on hand.

So today, as we celebrate the birth of our nation, please stop and say a prayer for our soldiers and their families. Remember to include immediate responders, too. If you know someone who is holding down the fort while their spouse is away, think of something you can do to make their day a bit easier and a bit brighter. If you see a veteran, thank him/her for their service. Sometimes it's easy to take for granted the freedoms we celebrate, but it's important on days like today to reflect on the many sacrifices that have been made to secure those freedoms and to provide a future for our children.

To Matt and Amy: I love you both, and have enormous respect for you. I'm not able to physically do anything to ease your burdens, but I lift you up in prayer each and every day. Thank you for doing what you do without complaint, for testifying through your attitude that God is at the center of your marriage and in control of your days, and for reminding me to cherish & soak up every sweet moment of life.

Enough of the sappy stuff already! Enjoy pics of our little firecracker wishing you all a happy 4th!