THANKFUL! THANKFUL! THANKFUL!
As we prepare to celebrate the birthday of our nation, I thought you might enjoy these thoughts from an unknown author:
Only in America can a pizza get to your house faster than an ambulance.
Only in America do people order double cheeseburgers, a large fry, and a DIET coke.
Only in America do banks leave both doors open and then chain the pens to the counters.
Only in America do we use answering machines to screen calls and then have call waiting so we won't miss a call from someone we didn't want to talk to in the first place.
Only in America do we buy hot dogs and packages of ten and buns in packages of eight.
Only in America do we would use the word "politics" to describe the process so well: "Poli" in Latin meaning "many" and "tics" meaning "bloodsucking creatures".
Well, maybe were being a little harsh on politicians -- Well, maybe not!
Whenever I hear someone say how proud they are to be an American or proud of their children or proud of their football team or whatever we may take pride in, I am reminded of the words of Christian singer Wayne Watson. Watson says, "The older I get the less there is to be proud of and the more there is for which to be thankful. I'm more thankful for my family than I am proud of them, because I realize most of the what they are is out of my hands. Most of what has happened to me in my career is not a result of me walking the streets in Nashville with songs trying to get them cut or trying to get a record deal. Most of it has been the blessing of God. So my 'thankfulness' list is growing much longer while my 'proud' list is becoming much shorter."
Watson is right on target. I don't know about you, but I can say without a moment's hesitation that I am thankful to be a citizen of this wonderful country. I was born here, so America was a gift to me paid for by so many who sacrificed so much for this country. I can't say it's something I achieved or something I earned. Yes, I am proud to be an American, but more than being proud, I am truly thankful to be living in this wonderful country that affords the incredible freedoms that many throughout the world have yet to enjoy.
We, as Americans have so much to be thankful for as we celebrate our nation's birth on July 4. We are indeed a free people, for which we owe a tremendous debt. As Christians, as those who have been given new life in Jesus Christ, we also owe a tremendous debt that we can never fully repay. All we can do is be truly thankful. Yes, there is great freedom we enjoy as Americans, but there is an even greater freedom we enjoy because of the cross of Calvary. Once again it is not a freedom in which I take as much pride in as much as I and deeply thankful. As Isaac Watts put it so well: "God forbid that I should boast, save in the cross of Christ my God." And to that I say, "Amen!"
Peace and Grace be with you in Jesus Christ,
Jeff