I was 10 years old on July 4, 1976. Our nation’s bicentennial came the day before my 11thbirthday. My mom often told me the annual fireworks show was part of my birthday party. I knew that wasn’t true, but I liked the thought.
My Country 'Tis of Thee
The summer of ’76 was a great time to be an American kid. No school meant baseball, bike rides, and hours in the backyard pool. Simpler times, for sure. As a bonus, our country was celebrating 200 years as a nation.
The US Mint printed bicentennial quarters to commemorate the event. We tried not to spend those, but when it was all you had, and you needed to beat the summer heat, you dropped the keepsake into the pop machine to grab a cold one. Pepsi didn’t miss a beat. Their heaven’s nectar came in collectable red, white, and blue cans marked with 1776-1976 graphics. The Good Ol’ Days.
Like many from every previous generation, I look back longingly to days gone by, but that doesn’t mean I want to go back. For all the struggles in the present, I thank the Lord that I live in the time that I do.
We’ve all heard the history lessons about the Atlantic crossings that brought our nation’s first citizens to her shores. In 1776, an ocean trek from Europe to America was 6 to 8 weeks long. A few months ago, I made a longer ocean crossing in under 9 hours. My grandmother would find it hard to believe that I have traveled to the Philippines, the Hawaiian Islands, India, Europe, England, Central America, and the Caribbean Islands in the last 30 years, many of those places multiple times. Only the elite could have done that 50 years ago.
In many ways, my life is easier, my standard of living is higher, and my lifestyle is better than it was for my parents 50 years ago. When I look at my children and grandchildren, I see better for them than what I knew before they were born. In all the challenges, life is better in so many ways. I cannot diminish the part the United States has played in making my life, your life, and our descendants’ lives better than the generations before us. It’s not heaven, but it’s pretty good.
Proud to Be an American
I am humbled to be a citizen of this great country. When overseas, I am never embarrassed to say where I am from. I had nothing to do with my citizenry, but I thank God for it. I smile when I watch the reels of soccer fans from around the world who have descended on our land as they cheer their times in the World Cup. Much of what I take for granted is beyond belief to them.
“You mean you can refill your pop again and again until you don’t want anymore, and there’s no extra charge?”
“Yep, we call that ‘Freedom’”
In a few days, we will celebrate 250 years since the signing of our Declaration of Independence. As Job declared long ago, God birthed our nation (12:23). I hope you praise God for this nation as I do, and I hope you pray for its longevity.
So, celebrate loud and bold, Christians! You are citizens of the greatest country on earth, by the grace of God.
As always, thanks for reading, and I welcome your feedback and any suggestions you might have for an upcoming Lunchtime Musing.