Happy Saturday!
Last night, the annual celebration of our Country's Independence started as I sure heard lots of fireworks. I suspect today, there will be many on the lakes and rivers enjoying the water as they are swimming, boating, skiing, tubing, and fishing. Many will gather at their homes or in the parks to play games, cook barbecue, hamburgers, and hotdogs. And there will be more fireworks for the next couple of days.
I was touched this week by a friend's sweet memory of why the 4th of July is special to her. I remembered so many of the Fourth celebrations when I was growing up. My family, along with Granny and Granddaddy, would go to downtown Atlanta and watch the WSB TV (I think) parade. It was an amazing time to watch and listen to the bands, see the floats, the marching soldiers and military equipment and see the all the patriotic people waving flags. The parade would always conclude with some famous singer, singing from their float "God Bless America". Even as a kid, it brought chill bumps. Most of the time, we would end our day at Lenox Square Mall for the fireworks with patriotic music until it fell dark and then WOW!!! But squeezed in between was a visit to the Walgreen's Soda Fountain for a sundae or float. Can you say good old days? They sure were! I hope that one day, years from now, some of today's little ones will look back on this weekend and say these were the good old days. I suspect while the world has changed, years from now, there will be many who will remember this weekend as the good old days!
We have so much to be thankful for. We live in the greatest Country ever. It's a land of freedom and liberty, we are able to practice so many individual right's and privileges denied by many across the world. We have gained these freedoms from the sacrifices of the many we should never forget! The United States is special because our founders built our country on the foundation of belief and trust in God. While we have had our issues and problems and we still do today, as the song says, God has blessed America.
Again, we have so much to be thankful for. "Jesus, We Just Want To Thank You" was a song I seem to recall Bill and Gloria Gaither wrote in the mid 70's. It is one of those, I think of as a chorus of thanks and praise that has often been incorporated into our services and I find myself singing as I have worked in the yard or driving all alone. The first link, I will share reminds me of those times when we would sing it as a chorus.
I also will share another link. This is a favorite version of mine from the Catherdral Quartet. I love hearing George Younce's recitation, giving his thanks!
I pray as we celebrate our Country's independence, I will also give thanks for all the blessings I have been given! I pray you will also have a fun, safe, and blessed Saturday!
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