Friends
I hope you had a chance to celebrate July 4th, America’s Independence Day. This year, America turned 250! That’s quite a birthday, and as I sat on my front porch Saturday morning in the record-breaking July heat, I pondered on the significance of this special celebration
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”We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.’”
-The Declaration Of Independence, July 4, 1776
It’s been 250 years since our forefathers crafted the Declaration Of Independence, announcing our firm intention to part ways with our English rulers and form an independent nation. That courageous step spawned the Revolutionary War which eventually earned the colonists the right to declare themselves Americans. That privilege came at a high price, the sacrifice of countless men, women, and children who endured the horrors of war to claim their right to freedom, a fact we take all too lightly today.
Growing up Army, I learned early to honor the flag, to remember the sacrifices of those who have gone before, and to value our freedoms. I remember what my father said to me when we arrived for our Army assignment in Seoul, Korea in 1970. He explained, “I want you to see how the rest of the world lives, and I want you to know how good you have it in America.”
I have never forgotten that lesson from my father, and I was reminded of it again this week as I listened to countless comments from our World Cup visitors on YouTube video feeds. Football players and fans from all over the world have come to celebrate soccer, and in turn, much to their admitted surprise, are celebrating America as well. Our visitors are applauding our food, our friendliness, and our culture. They are stunned by the beauty of our landscapes, the safety of our streets, the cleanliness of our parks, and the overwhelming kindness of perfect strangers. They are amazed that average Americans are willing to speak to them on sidewalks, strike up conversations in public places, and to buy them a free round of food or drink in a bar or restaurant for no apparent reason than just to be nice. Again and again, I heard visitors being blown away by our kindness and generosity. They think Walmart is incredible and Costco, amazing. No matter their country of origin, the visitors are captivated by our food, our fellowship, and most of all, our freedom.
I watched these video clips with a grin on my face and a stirring in my soul. The jubilant comments of our nation’s guests highlighted how blessed this country is and how incredible its people are. It reminded me of all the things I take for granted everyday. It was humbling to see through another’s eyes all the things I fail to notice, all the blessings I fail to regularly recognize.
I have never stopped being proud to be an American, but hearing all these positive encounters with our culture stirred up a renewed sense of pride and thankfulness. Yes, I know full well that we have our problems. From poverty to prejudice, addiction to violence, division to unrest, and so many more, we have problems in America that need fixing. Yet, what all these uplifting videos have highlighted for me and all the soccer fans is that to understand America, you must experience America, and to experience America, you must encounter its people. Worldwide news media coverage or political posturing will never reveal the real America, because the real America is its people and its freedom.
Friends, I hope you will join me today in saluting our flag and giving thanks for our tremendous blessings. Then I hope you and I will step out with renewed vigor to do good, to live well, and to honor our Lord in the service of others.
Happy Birthday, America!
“I pledge allegiance to the Flag of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one Nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.”
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“So now I am giving you a new commandment: Love each other. Just as I have loved you, you should love each other. Your love for one another will prove to the world that you are my disciples.”
John 13:34-35 – NIV
PRAYER
O Lord, we thank You for the privilege to live in this great nation. We are so grateful for our freedoms, so grateful for your bountiful blessings on this land. O Lord, lead us forward that we might love as you would have us love, that we might pursue peace and harmony with our neighbors, that we might choose the right and good path that leads to light. Forgive us our trespasses and help us forgive one another. Shine Your light and lead us forward, that others may know that we are Christians by our love.
In the Glorious Name of Jesus, we give thanks and praise,
Amen
Blessings,
Anita
-APS 7/6/2026
Faith Beyond Sight 