July 4^th in our family was always a fun day of celebration.  We lived next door to my grandfather’s grocery store in which he sold fireworks for this special day. Two uncles lived nearby who were always ready for excitement. They were the ones to set off that loud but inspiring display for the whole neighborhood.  

It was a day to enjoy family and friends, food and fun. Picnic fare combined with ethic specialties made the feast as memorable as the fireworks display. We loved it when it fell on a Friday, like this year, because it afforded us a whole weekend of celebrations. 

The Bicentennial Celebration of 1976 created a time of unity in our country which had been dealing with major divisive issues after the end of the Vietnam War and with trying to navigate the unknowns of segregation. Our little Vermont town had a big parade with marching bands, fire trucks, horses and riders in costume and many, many little boys and girls in colonial hats and vests riding their patriotically decorated bicycles down Main Street. 

Now, you are probably asking yourself how does this reminiscence become a meditation? Well, as we pledge on a regular basis, we are one nation “under God”. The God that gave us the New Commandment on Maundy Thursday to love God first above everything else and (just as important) to love your neighbor as yourself. 

This country was created under a God, not of dogma, but of love for the creatures that he bought into being. A God that wanted his children to be able to celebrate their beliefs in Him in a way that was meaningful to them. Not one dictated by the ruling party of the day. This was such a dramatic and daring action by the founding fathers. I believe that the only reason that the union succeeded to this day is because the God of our understanding has been watching and blessing the way of this nation, even in the face of our questionable decisions. 

Our God is a God of love, unconditional love. This is the type of love that doesn’t see color, race or ethnicity. A love that welcomes all. I’m not sure that the writers of the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution of the United States of America anticipated the unbelievable world that we have come to live in, but I know that God did.  

Think about what we have and how we value these gifts. Thank God every day for the gift of freedom and ask Him to continue His love and support. Remember, God loves you unconditionally! 

Terri