The Fourth of July is my favorite holiday. I’ve been trying to pin point why that would be and I have a few thoughts:
1. It’s really the only major holiday that doesn’t fall during the school year. As a kid…that was the best.
2. It takes place in summer and well, from this winter disliker…that’s a really good plus.
3. Most of the time you spend it outside. The outdoors make my heart sing. Enough said.
4. There are fireworks. Enough said.
5. It usually involves watermelon. Even though this fruit is made up of really nothing but water…it’s still super awesome.
6. A lot of holidays, people don’t all celebrate together because of different beliefs or cultural norms. This one, though, unifies people across the nation in a super cool way.
7. It will often times include lake play. Hello? Did you hear me say, ‘lake play?’ Awesomeness.
8. Everyone looks good in red, white, or blue. Am I right?
9. It almost always includes grilling out. Anything cooked outside just tastes better and I love the smell of grilling. It’s purely American.
10. Did I mention that it takes place in summer?
Those are just a few reasons why I love the Fourth of July…there are many more. But maybe more importantly, I think this holiday is great because it reminds us of the freedom that we have in this country. I hope that I never take that for granted and I hope that we will always continue to fight for freedom. Subsequently, I hope that we will continue to thank those that have fought for it on our behalf and sacrificed so much to do so. And, I hope that this holiday will always make me remember the freedom that I have found in Christ. A freedom that cost so much more than any earthly freedom. It cost the very life of a holy God. This freedom is the most precious gift any of us could ever receive. So, today, I hope that you will join me in celebrating freedom and if you don’t know the ultimate freedom that comes from a belief in Jesus Christ, I hope that you will ask yourself, are you truly free?
Happy Fourth of July!
I am spending my favorite holiday with some of my favorite people in a place I have wanted to visit for so long! Portland, Oregon!!! You can expect a blog post coming soon!