I am looking forward to our church service the Sunday before July 4th. It is to be a joint service and will include many of the ‘patriotic’ songs.

I don’t think I am in the minority when I say that certain songs bring tears to my eyes if I really ‘listen’ to the words because so many speak of dedication, service, and often loss.

I know that I often complain of our ‘government’ but when I do, I am not complaining about our type of government, but rather the manner in which those elected officials seem to run it. I’ll admit that I worry about the national debt and what future we are offering future generations.

Another thing I worry about is the fact that there are those who think “God” has nothing to do with our country. Recently something ran on television showing individuals reciting the pledge of allegiance…but they neglected to include the words, “under God”. There was quite a backlash and I keep wondering just who makes the decisions that are counter to so many of our citizens.

I believe we have freedom of religion…not freedom from religion. Having worked with international students for over twenty-five years, I have learned to respect their faith.

Many diverse people from all over the world make up the citizenship of our nation. And, there are also many diverse religions represented…but is the word “God” offensive? I am really getting confused.

It seems I am offering problems instead of rejoicing in the blessings of our nation.

Truly I believe that this is the ‘best’ place in which to live. I couldn’t conceive of living any other place. Life is not always ‘easy’, but life is ‘good’.

Recently on my email, I have been receiving some beautiful and touching pieces pertaining to our servicemen and women and the sacrifices they have made. As I sat down to write this piece, my television was reporting that a young man severely wounded was finally returning to visit his home. He had lost three of his limbs while in the service of our country. I can only pray that the future holds blessings because of his willingness to serve and his courage in seeking to overcome.

When our pastor delivered the sermon on the Sunday near Memorial Day, he showed pictures of the Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery. I have never been there but was very touched to see the rows and rows of markers that belong to those who served in the military and those who died in that service. All sacrificed a portion of their life to defend the life that you and I have been blessed to have. Some paid the ultimate sacrifice when they lost their lives in such service.

How does one say ‘thank you’ for such gifts? Families have been separated, loved ones have been lost, families who chose to follow their loved ones when possible have found themselves moving from place to place and children have learned that moves are inevitable. The lives of our military are certainly different from most of our lives.

I recall that when Bill and I planned to marry, the plan was I give up my job and move to Indiana where he was stationed. It didn’t happen as he got orders they were shipping out to Korea about six weeks after our marriage so I stayed with my parents and continued my job. For the first time in my life, I wrote a letter every day and when mail didn’t arrive from him because something caused a delay, I’ll admit I panicked.

In my downstairs family room hangs a picture of my father in his uniform when he served in World War I. Recently a distant relative mailed me a letter my father had written to that family while he was serving in France in World War One. It was very touching to read his thoughts of those long ago days.

Most families will have someone who has been a part of one of the branches of the armed forces. Sunset Hill Cemetery held a most remarkable service on Memorial Day and the many flags provided a visual reminder that such service is a tremendous gift to all of us.

What will the 4th of July mean to you and I? Will it be a time for a picnic, a family gathering, or a chance to go somewhere and watch the fireworks display?

I would think it might be all of those things, but perhaps we might also take time out to offer a prayer of thanksgiving to God for all the many blessings that many have sacrificed in order that those blessings continue.

We truly are blessed to live in a nation that was founded on principles of both freedom and opportunity. Through the years, many from various parts of the world have become a part of this nation and while we may have a diverse population, we have a nation that in spite of diversity is ‘one nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.”

Many of us probably pray daily for ‘peace’ but that peace seems to be so illusive. Dissention among various religions and nationalities seem to cause suspicion and sometimes even hate to permeate our lives.

I would hope that one day we might find a way to live peaceably in spite of differences.

When I was growing up, I often heard our nation called a ‘melting pot’. I think that is true and so I pray that our country continues to offer opportunity, freedom, acceptance and that those of us who live here accept the responsibilities that come with having such a land.

Perhaps a good way of closing is by quoting a few words from a patriotic song we have all sung. “America, America God shed His grace on thee, and crown thy good with brotherhood from sea to shining sea.”

May God truly continue to bless our country and may we respond to such a blessing by being and by doing our ‘best’.