Tomorrow Americans celebrate freedom. Dads fire up their grills. Moms ready their daughters with red and blue bows and dust off the red Radio Flyer. Teens cross county lines to purchase Black Cats, Ground Spinners, and Roman Candles - hoping the local authorities turn a blind eye (and deaf ear). Shriners polish their mini cars and don their Fez.
The Fourth stands for freedom and cries out for celebration. Freedom deserves celebration. Freedom also deserves protection.
The Apostle Paul wrote on the matter.
You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh rather, serve one another humbly in love. Galatians 5:13 (NIV)
While some people use freedom as an excuse, others recognize freedom's potential for good -- for good based in love. Anyone even vaguely aware of Christianity knows that those who call themselves Christians talk about love (hopefully, talk matched with action). However, "'love others" often sounds generic enough that it is received as a platitude rather than a powerful opportunity to impact lives for the better.
So let's help the platitude meet the Ordinary Road. In recognition of this week's national focus, how can we "love others" on July 4th?
- Invite someone new to your BBQ.
- Buy a neighbor kid a red wagon.
- Ask "one of the least of these" to join you for the fireworks show.
- Say "thank you" to at least one person who makes you smile.
- Pray for the leaders of our nation.
- Forgive as the Lord forgave you.
- Show appreciation for the people who planned your town's parade.
- Smile.
- Tell your daughter in the red and blue bow, "I love you."
- Help the teen who burns his fingers with the Roman Candle.
Christ set us free. That's worth celebrating. Celebrate with love.
#ordinarylives
Two days ago was the twenty-third anniversary of the day my wife and I said, "I do" in Meeker United Methodist Church. Standing there, I was nervous and she was beautiful.
I'm no longer nervous, but she is still beautiful.
Like my nerves, much has changed. The two who became one have two teenagers and one soon-to-be-teen. We live thousands of miles from where we began. We don different hairstyles. We prepare to pay for our daughter's college education while our own official degree-earning is long past.
Like my wife's beauty, much remains the same.
- Our love for one another endures.
- Our commitment to each other does not waiver.
- Our desire to honor God with our love remains.
- We continue to date.
- She still makes me smile.
- I still cause her to laugh.
I wrote a letter to her for our anniversary. In it, I express my gratitude for some of the many things she does because of her love and commitment. In part, they are . . .
- Thank you.
- Thank you for keeping our relationship a top priority.
- Thank you for your example of godliness.
- Thank you for your love of the Word.
- Thank you for your kindness.
- Thank you for your thoughtfulness.
- Thank you for loving me.
- Thank you for growing your hair long.
- Thank you for shaving your legs.
- Thank you for your prayers.
- Thank you for your support.
- Thank you for all the things you do for me and the kids.
- Thank you for doing most of the cooking.
- Thank you for making sure our three know they are loved.
- Thank you for understanding that I have a motorcycle.
- Thank you for continuing to make mousse.
- Thank you for YOU!
If you're married, I offer you a suggestion. Devote some time to writing your "Thank you" note. Use the power of words to express your love and commitment to the one you love.
Here's to anniversaries! I hope yours is happy.
#ordinarylives
Father's Day marked our calendars two days ago. Perhaps you celebrated. I did. Each Father's Day provides an opportunity to reflect on the positive impact fathers make in our lives. I am thankful for my father. Specifically, I am thankful for my dad for . . .
- loving me
- encouraging me
- never giving up
- loving my mom
- supporting me
- his example
I am thankful for the times we . . .
- went hunting
- went to the gym
- raced across the street after church to the car
- listened to Willie, Don Francisco, and Roger Whittaker
- talk
- tour Alaska
Years ago, officiating a funeral for the first time, I mentioned that we each hold memories of the deceased - "some good and some not so good."
True? Yes.
Well said? Not likely.
Even though the latter part of the statement was particularly true for that person. I know I shouldn't write that, but I couldn't stop myself.
I digress. Back to my theme for this post.
Perhaps "not so good" applies to your memories of your father. If so, that is unfortunate. If that is your story, make good memories for others. For your kids. For your grandkids. For the child next door whose father is AWOL. For the child in Sunday School, Youth Group, etc. For your athletes, students, band members, etc.
Since "good" applies to my memories, Thanks Dad!
#ordinarylives
So let's help the platitude meet the Ordinary Road. In recognition of this week's national focus, how can we "love others" on July 4th?
