Proud to Be an American

I really am proud to call America my home.  I know that this country has made a lot of mistakes in the 135 years since its birth.  For decades slavery was part of our way of life and business.  Our leaders have made decisions that have had serious negative consequences.  Some leaders haven't been honest with those they were called to serve, or made decisions that most people didn't want them to make.

But we as a country have so much to be proud of!  We abolished slavery and have worked to fight against it in other countries.  We have fought hard for our freedoms--and won.  We have had incredible presidents and other government leaders who have done so much good for this country and its people.  Citizens of our country have made discoveries and invented things that have benefited people all over the world.  We were founded on Christian principles and although that's not as easy to see anymore, we still have freedom of religion in the United States like few other countries do.

We have been so blessed as a country, despite doing things as a country that are in blatant opposition to God's Word.  He has continued to be gracious and faithful to our nation as a whole.

On this day, I celebrate the fact that I was born in America and have grown up blessed by so many freedoms.  I thank God for those men and women, including some friends of mine, who have sacrificed in order to protect those freedoms and protect the people of our country.  I thank God for the blessings he has showered upon our nation.

And, today, I am remembering past Independence Days...there are so many memories connected with this holiday for me.  :)  It would take another post to consider them all (and I might just do that later).  This day has much meaning for me, and I'm ready to make new memories!