Freedom, For How Long?

As I sit to write this week I find myself in one of those quandaries not knowing what to write about. It’s not what would be called writers block, but more what to say and how to say it. I guess I’ll just start by writing about a young family I’ve been involved with lately. I’m not one to delve into a person’s past especially when they show the want-to to get them self out of the ditch they’ve put them self in. The husband and father of the small family, was on rock bottom when I met him a month ago, wife about to give birth and nowhere to live. Well, he had a plan and I wanted to help him to achieve his goal. With some monetary help from many different sources and a lot of encouragement, he has remained faithful to his plan and toward his family obligations. As a matter-of-fact, because of his hard work and determination to better his life, things are developing with greater clarity as to what the future holds than he had ever dreamed. Seeing some pride swelling up in his attitude of providing for his family and making some sound decisions as to what to do next, has also encouraged me to continue helping as I can. And that has brought me to remembrance this week of why we celebrate the birth date of this great country. Neighbor helping neighbor in times of distress has been present since the landing of the Pilgrims at Plymouth Rock. We live in the greatest country in the world if for no other reason than we possess the right to pursue life, liberty and happiness without fear of persecution. The freedoms we enjoy allow us to spread our wings like that of the eagle, our majestic symbol of freedom, to soar above any storm that may come into our life and enables anyone to become the person they want to be. I know we all gripe about a lot of things, but remember, it’s that freedom of speech, I didn’t say freedom of expression, it’s our freedom of speech that keeps our way of life strong and free. Think about it. Happy Birthday America!!
[Psalm 11] The young family I’ve been associated with of late, is being blessed beyond their dreams. They’ll be the first to tell you they still have little to nothing they can call their own, but they have a healthy baby born last week, dad has a better job than a month ago, their car has been repaired, they have a roof over their head and food on the shelf. When asked the young man will tell you the blessings are not of his doing. His heart tells him that God has sent many people his way because he has repented of his former lifestyle to reap the spoils that the freedoms of life can produce. Hatred and lawlessness only produced trouble and agony. He found himself separated from his family and he didn’t want that anymore. If there’s a down side to all of this it has to be that if we don’t hold true to the God based foundation of this country we’re going to find ourselves separated from the freedoms we enjoy. If hatred and lawlessness continues to grow in our neighborhoods, if drugs and alcohol continue to destroy the family and if the righteous guidelines for life continue to be flushed from our judicial system, I’m afraid our grandchildren will be telling their children, in secret, about the freedoms they once experienced. God will not destroy this country nor will He save it from it’s own demise. What each generation passes to the next will determine the outcome. If the USA gets to the point that we no longer “Trust In God”, the blessings of God will be lost in greed and selfishness. Are you building on the sands of time or the rock truth of the living God?