Freedom

I have been focusing on our freedoms this past week as we prepare to celebrate our country's Independence Day. I have thanked our troops and their families for their service and protection, and I have thanked God for my being able to live in this country of freedom. As I've pondered, many thoughts have popped into my head, so decided to share them here today. I put myself in another woman's shoes that lives in a country without freedom-especially because she is a woman. I wondered how she would view us and all that we get to experience on a daily basis, only because we live in America. We are allowed to dress however we desire, we can style our hair, wear makeup or not, enjoy whatever jewelry catches our eyes and be a woman. We can walk the streets and malls without an escort, and enjoy a meal in a restaurant without a chaperone. We can have a conversation with our husbands, and speak our needs usually without fear of reprisals. We can walk beside our man, holding his hand if we so desire, and not look shameful. We can be silly, fun and free spirited with our children and not suffer the looks of disdain that others must suffer. Can you imagine what she must think, as she looks at her daily life in comparision to ours?
Another freedom I am thanking the Lord for today is the freedom to grow. I am not held back by society or my family, but instead am encouraged to grow and blossom. God is the best at encouraging me to grow and become whom He wants me to be. I am truly enjoying this time in my life, as I am growing by leaps and bounds. I am proud of the woman I have become and look forward to the amazing growth that I'm sure is yet to come.
Thank you Father for our tremendous freedoms. I pray that everyone would look upon the 4th of July, not only as the celebration of our nation but also at the freedoms that You have bestowed upon us as individuals and that we will be a more grateful people.