freedom

nothing says "independence day" like ball park hot dogs on a chinese melamine platter:

of course, when there are four chinese people at your house celebrating their freedom, i guess that's appropriate.

too much rolling around in my head yesterday when it comes to "freedom".  even this morning (the day after independence day), i keep asking myself what "freedom" really means...  i dare not get political (i'll leave that to my husband), but it's hard to not think about our freedoms in america when i see this in my home day after day:

four children.  

not born to me, but born to women in a country that does not see that "all men were created equal" (maybe all men, but certainly not women or people with special needs...).  

children that might never have been allowed to learn "that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness."

i have freedom.

i have the freedom to know christ.  i have the freedom to be moved by the holy spirit and to act on his prompting.  i have the freedom to pass these freedoms on...

they have the freedom to live outside a cultural definition of value - even in their gender and special needs.  they have the freedom to know christ and to follow him radically and openly.  

i am thankful that in god's kindness, he gave me america and freedom.  i was reminded of the weight of my freedoms and that all these freedoms should not be squandered.  every gift we are given should be stewarded well.

how do we steward our gift of freedom?  

i'm reminded of the parable of the talents from matthew 25.

when we face christ and he asks how we managed all our gifts - including our freedom - how will we respond? 

so if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. - john 8:36

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I may have stared at that first picture a bit too long... trying to figure out why Chris was wearing bright green headphones before grilling... and why only one was visible. :)