Let Freedom Ring!
The Fourth of July!
The celebration of our country’s Liberty! This day has meant many things
to me through the years. One year Dad spread creosote under the house and
around to thwart termites. One year Mom
gave her old Maytag wringer-type washing machine, a new coat of ‘silver’ paint.
The creosote 4th, I found a
box of love letters from Dad to Mom and began reading in pure delight of seeing
romantic parents through a young girl’s eyes.
The celebration of our country’s Liberty! This day has meant many things
to me through the years. One year Dad spread creosote under the house and
around to thwart termites. One year Mom
gave her old Maytag wringer-type washing machine, a new coat of ‘silver’ paint.
The creosote 4th, I found a
box of love letters from Dad to Mom and began reading in pure delight of seeing
romantic parents through a young girl’s eyes.
I often introduced Mother as a Firecracker of a Mom since she was born on Independence Day in
1907. With delight I found an old birthday card to Mom that explained that her
birth was not announced via the party line phone because the operator took a
day off. As a child, I thought the country celebrated my Mom’s birthday with
picnics, parades and fireworks. Mom introduced us to sparklers, her favorite
fireworks. Dad leaned more to rockets
and noise! I am not sure when homemade, hand-turned peppermint ice cream with
home-made chocolate syrup became a tradition that even our grandchildren
remember to this day. I loved to hear
Mom tell about watching the fire works display in Hillsboro from the upper area
of the barn as a girl.
1907. With delight I found an old birthday card to Mom that explained that her
birth was not announced via the party line phone because the operator took a
day off. As a child, I thought the country celebrated my Mom’s birthday with
picnics, parades and fireworks. Mom introduced us to sparklers, her favorite
fireworks. Dad leaned more to rockets
and noise! I am not sure when homemade, hand-turned peppermint ice cream with
home-made chocolate syrup became a tradition that even our grandchildren
remember to this day. I loved to hear
Mom tell about watching the fire works display in Hillsboro from the upper area
of the barn as a girl.
Let Freedom Ring! Liberty is a kind of freedom that
knows no fear. To me it is the kind of freedom a child has when playing in the
sand pile and constructing dreams and visions.
A time that is uninterrupted by constraints of demands or fears or
hunger or want. I can understand the
desire my grandparents and great grandparents possessed for this kind of
freedom just to worship and live and be.
The intense hardships endured until they knew this freedom in this
country cost them dearly.
knows no fear. To me it is the kind of freedom a child has when playing in the
sand pile and constructing dreams and visions.
A time that is uninterrupted by constraints of demands or fears or
hunger or want. I can understand the
desire my grandparents and great grandparents possessed for this kind of
freedom just to worship and live and be.
The intense hardships endured until they knew this freedom in this
country cost them dearly.
Several years ago I became aware of the physical
comfort that surrounds my life. I have
plenty and yet, I desire more of what the earth has to offer. Freedom became the things I possess, and my
prayers for my family always included protection and health. In the past year many changes have threatened
that physical ‘comfort’ and I realize that I have become enslaved to things
rather than the liberty and freedom in Christ that is open to me. I had forgotten to ‘count the many blessings’
and give thanks.
comfort that surrounds my life. I have
plenty and yet, I desire more of what the earth has to offer. Freedom became the things I possess, and my
prayers for my family always included protection and health. In the past year many changes have threatened
that physical ‘comfort’ and I realize that I have become enslaved to things
rather than the liberty and freedom in Christ that is open to me. I had forgotten to ‘count the many blessings’
and give thanks.
For freedom Christ
has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of
slavery. Galatians 5:1.
has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of
slavery. Galatians 5:1.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the
flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13
flesh, but through love serve one another.
Galatians 5:13
When I survey the photos of fields covered with rows
of white crosses, I am humbled that so many paid the ultimate price for the
freedom I take for granted. And I am
reminded of the rugged unpainted cross where Jesus paid for not only my sins
but the sins of all peoples who live and who will live. Who am I to turn my back on this gift from
the creator of the world and all life?
of white crosses, I am humbled that so many paid the ultimate price for the
freedom I take for granted. And I am
reminded of the rugged unpainted cross where Jesus paid for not only my sins
but the sins of all peoples who live and who will live. Who am I to turn my back on this gift from
the creator of the world and all life?
There are many kinds of slavery of the body. Addictions of all kinds including personal
comfort, anger, jealousy, unforgiveness, bitterness, quarrelsome behavior and
hate.
comfort, anger, jealousy, unforgiveness, bitterness, quarrelsome behavior and
hate.
Yet, in Jesus Christ we have a clear conscience and
our sins are forgiven and our souls are set free.
our sins are forgiven and our souls are set free.
“…as far as the east is from the west,
so far does he remove our transgressions
from us.” Psalm 103:12
so far does he remove our transgressions
from us.” Psalm 103:12
What a glorious promise. Now that
is forgiveness. And it is ours, if we
choose the gift of Grace, which is Love, as only our Lord loves. Just what is his love all about?
is forgiveness. And it is ours, if we
choose the gift of Grace, which is Love, as only our Lord loves. Just what is his love all about?
Love bears
all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they
will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass
away. I Corinthians 13:7-8.
all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never ends. As for prophecies, they
will pass away; as for tongues, they will cease; as for knowledge, it will pass
away. I Corinthians 13:7-8.
So on this 4th
of July, I say, “Let Freedom Ring!” Freedom in Christ through His Love and
Grace. And may I extend the grace and
love I receive to all I meet and know through encouraging words, thanksgiving
and joy.
of July, I say, “Let Freedom Ring!” Freedom in Christ through His Love and
Grace. And may I extend the grace and
love I receive to all I meet and know through encouraging words, thanksgiving
and joy.
Comments? eacombs@att.net
Amen. Love this post. I loved sharing a birthday with your Mom! She was definitely a firecracker!
Amen. Love this post. I loved sharing a birthday with your Mom! She was definitely a firecracker!