The day before Independence Day, I was preparing my house and yard for guests for our July 4th BBQ. While I was spreading out mulch and pulling weeds, my granddaughter wanted to know why I was doing so much. I told her that I was having a party to celebrate Independence Day, to which she asked, “what’s that?”. I told her that it’s a very important holiday that we have to celebrate our freedom. My granddaughter then asked (she’s 6 by the way), “what’s our freedom?”.

It’s now the day after Independence Day and that question is still lingering in my head… it’s a tough one in the age we live in, or so I thought.

I woke up this morning struggling to move, but still thinking about the question. Once I managed to get up, take my meds, grab my bible and journal and head out to the patio….I looked around ~ and it hit me… I remembered everything that had gone on since the question was asked, all the games, and laughs and food shared, memories made, photos taken…. it was clear. I still don’t have the right words, but I sure do have the understanding, even in (and maybe especially in) today’s society. A photo taken by a friend brought tears and a flood of emotion…it was my Daddy, a retired Marine, sitting there eating his BBQ meal wearing his stars and stripes vest, and my American flag waving high above him…. it’s men like him (and women) who helped give us these freedoms in this country. Freedoms to gather and talk about whatever we want, to play games together, and laugh together, to carry on as if there is no care in the world (because at the moment, there honestly isn’t… just love for one another), freedom to watch fireworks and light fireworks, and stay up late, and clean up messes the next morning 😉 , and the freedom to read my bible….

I cherish the moments. The moments with the grandkids. The moments with my parents, and my children, and my friends, and siblings, and all family. I cherish being able to go grocery shopping, and walking in my garden, and even being able to write this blog. I don’t want to take any of it for granted because we truly never know how long it will last.

Then I sat down and opened my bible, and as much as I love this country and the freedoms I have, it’s NOTHING compared to the freedom I have in my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! The freedoms this country provides are temporary, but the freedom I have in Jesus is eternal, “But now having been set free from sin, and having become slaves of God, you have your fruit to holiness, and the end, everlasting life” Roman 6:22 NKJV.  “Most assuredly, I say to you, if anyone keeps My word he shall never see death.” John 8:51 NKJV. My relationship with Jesus can never be taken from me, no matter how crazy this country may get. His spirit lives within me and His word is in my heart and therefore I have eternal freedom!

I don’t remember exactly what I answered my granddaughter with, but I know it was very basic and simplified and it pacified her for the time. I’m curious though, in the age we live in, what would you’re answer be?