Raising Washingtons
Today we gathered at a friend’s house to celebrate America’s birthday. After eating wonderful food, enjoying insightful conversation, and mucking up rain water, we reflected on the Declaration of Independence written, so many years ago, on July 4, 1776. As my son read the opening words of the founding document, I felt a strange euphoric pride. My nine year old read clearly,
When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one people to dissolve the political bands which have connected them with another and to assume among the powers of the earth, the separate and equal station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle them, a decent respect to the opinions of mankind requires that they should declare the causes which impel them to the separation.
The feelings swelling in my heart were not because he read every word, or because he could interpret the s’s that look like f’s. I had a glimpse of the future. This young man is being taught the history of his country. He might not understand every word of this precious covenant, but he knows that his rights are given to him by God. My growing boy has an idea of the price paid for liberty. He realizes that it is his responsibility to protect freedom first in his own conscience. This gives me hope. Hope that future generations will live in peace.
God of peace! whose spirit fills
All the echoes of our hills,
All the murmur of our rills,
Now the storm is o’er,
O let freedom be our sons,
And let future Washingtons
Rise, to lead their valiant ones
Till there’s war no more! (from The Fourth of July by John Pierpoint)
Hi Renae-
I know that feeling of pride – I too love the things that my kids know and are continuously learning! I also got a similar pride last night at our town’s fireworks display – so very good – they included songs and narratives throughout the show and highly praised our country at it’s foundings citing many familiar quotes by many of our Founders – it was so amazing – I have never seen a firework display like it that put so much focus on what we were celebrating – I think of John Adam’s letter to Abigail after signing the Declaration when he was saying how that day should be celebrated forevermore – He would have been proud of this!! ( :
Thanks for your comment at my blog – I am never sure if my words come across clearly to others like they sound to me. ( :
I am so glad you had such a wonderful holiday also!
Blessings to you -
Mandi
There’s something worth fighting for. : )
Mandi,
I thought of John Adams comments on the first Independence Day too.
“It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forevermore.”
We did both and I am so thankful.
Dana,
All I can say is Amen!
This is wonderful. Thanks for submitting it to the Carnival of Principled Government!
Inspiring!
I am blown away every time I read the Declaration of Independence. I think to myself “Does anyone get this? This rocked the planet!.”
May we never forget the Global Revolution that occurred when Mankind’s Brightest and Best Declared their God given Freedom before God and the World!
ThirstyJon
[...] plans aren’t solidified yet, but we always enjoy getting together with friends. Last year we finished our gathering by reading the Declaration of Independence. I plan to continue that [...]