Celebration of Our Country

I love the Fourth of July celebrations! The parades are always so patriotic, the fireworks are breath taking, and the food is always abundant! But I must admit that it is easy to forget just why we are celebrating. This year I focused on "why" I was celebrating and not just celebrating.

Early Friday morning Phil & I drove to Edmond for the annual Edmond parade and met the family. We all arrived an hour early for a picnic breakfast on the curb! Tyler kept asking how much longer it would be before the parade began and every 5 minutes I would tell him it was five minutes less than the previous time!
This shot is one of those rare ones! Tyler doesn't often want to sit on my lap - it's not cool!

Once the parade began we were all engaged. We honored so many wonderful men and women as they marched past us. As each group came by, the crowd would stand in honor with hats off and flags flying. Cheers would erupt and a pride could be seen in each man or woman.

Our girls were taken with all the "princesses" with crowns as well as the hundreds of flags. It doesn't get any better than a lolly pop and flag!

Great time was had by all but the reason for the celebration is what it is all about. As James Bryce once said, "Patriotism consists not in waving the flag, but in striving that our country shall be righteous as well as strong."

Psalm 29:11 says, "The Lord gives strength to his people." I pray that America is still the strength of righteousness and that each of us will proudly stand for what is right and good and most of all, Godly.