Let Freedom Ring -- All Month Long!

Happy July!

Now, before anyone says, "Donna, it's not the Fourth yet," hear me out. One day of celebrating America simply isn't enough.

This month, I want to spend every opportunity thanking God for the land we call home and for the brave men and women who paid the ultimate price so we could enjoy the freedoms we often take for granted.

Last year, Carl and I visited the National Center for Healthy Veterans at Valor Farm in Virginia. Walking through the beautiful grounds, we saw more than buildings -- we saw hope.

One stop especially touched my heart: the Austin House, built through the generosity of many partners, including our Gates family.

Soon another veteran will walk through those doors carrying wounds that may not be visible, but are very real. There, they'll find healing for body, soul, and spirit.

One of the paintings -- shown here at our front door -- was created by one of those veterans -- whose own journey was moving from brokenness toward wholeness.

What a beautiful reminder.

Freedom isn't free.

Sometimes its cost is measured in battlefields.

Sometimes in hospital rooms.

Sometimes in years of healing after the uniform is folded away.

As I look at our American flags, the "Home" rug, the words on our wreath "Faith, Family, Freedom", in some small way -- gratitude as my heart whispers, "Thank You."

Thank You, Lord, for this nation.

Thank You for those who courageously served.

Thank You for those who never came home.

And thank You for those who did -- and continue to rebuild their lives with remarkable courage.

The Bible reminds us, "Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord." (Psalm 33:12)

Throughout this month, let's do more than wave a flag.

Let's pray for America.

Let's encourage our veterans.

Let's teach our grandchildren why freedom matters.

And let's never forget that while America is called the "land of the free because of the brave", our eternal freedom came because of the Bravest One of all -- Jesus Christ, who laid down His life so that we might truly be free.

May freedom ring -- all month long.

How about all our lives long?

S