There’s something special about a sea of red, white, and blue flags waving on a spirit-filled street. 

I didn’t realize until I got older how special it is to have holidays noted on the calendar. I must admit I don’t celebrate every holiday, and as an American, that’s my choice. But July 4th is special to me. First, July 4^th is the first part of the last half of the year. It plunges most of the country into the dog days of summer, cold watermelon, and fireflies. What’s not to like?

The 4^th begs the patriotic to watch a parade. I love watching a sea of red, white, and blue flags filling a spirited street – Ole Glory at her best. Even choosing whether to stand, park myself on a sunny street curb or find a coveted place in the shade to wave my flag becomes an event. I particularly like to find a choice spot where I can watch candy being thrown from floats to young and old alike. While I sip sweet tea from an insulated 16-oz., it gives me a sweet time to reflect on life and liberty. 

Some citizens go to parks to spread checkered tablecloths over picnic tables. Others will celebrate with backyard barbecues, bicycle rides, hitting balls of all types, swimming in Auntie’s pool, watching grandchildren play, or hanging out waiting for the homemade ice cream to finish churning. Whether its sinking teeth into a cold slice of watermelon or grabbing a napkin to catch the drips from a juicy hamburger, ribs, hot-dog or saUSAage, most of us will find no matter how we celebrate this 4^th, life is pretty good in America.

It is sad to think of a Nation having to suffer to bring about its freedom. For those that protect now and for those that courageously rescued us from dark periods in history, may we honor them by living our best lives in a land that mostly honors life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

As a Nation watches the last fireworks tear across the sky honoring our nation’s freedom, I hope some of its people take a moment to honor the One who came to give us spiritual freedom. I can only hope as our hands clap at the bursts of light in the sky on the evening of the 4th, we clasp our hands flat together for the God-man that rode into a city on a donkey, shared supper with his friends and relatives, and soon after bore stripes of red and blue for us across His back.

As we celebrate on the 4^th, I picture in my mind a Nation standing shoulder to shoulder, united in our founding fathers beliefs, and looking forward to a future day of ultimate celebration. That day is the day Jesus comes back wearing white, the color of heavenly victory.

God bless you and yours. Have a great 4th and be safe.

2 Corinthians 4:6 AMP

“For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah).”