July 2013 Articles

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Just Rambling, July 2013

When I think about all of my blessings, the most obvious blessing that comes to mind during the month of July is my freedom. I feel so blessed and thankful to be able to wake up every morning, embracing my life and the freedom I have to live it any way that I wish. The most important freedom that I am blessed with in this great nation is the freedom to worship my God without fear of being persecuted or killed for my belief. I can’t imagine living in a place where I couldn’t meet with my fellow brothers and sisters in Christ to worship our God, or where I couldn’t publicly proclaim the gratitude and love I have for my Father. This is one truly beautiful thing about America. Something I find even more beautiful, however, is the military men and women that God created. Whether they served in the past, are presently serving, or will serve one day in the future, these military men and women are truly special human beings.
In John 15:13 it says, “Greater love has no one than this, to lay down his life for his friends.”
Our military personnel follow this scripture every day of their lives. They sacrifice everything they have to ensure that each and every one of us can enjoy freedom. They fight for things they may not ever even get to enjoy, such as a simple meal around the table with their loved ones. These men and women have willingly made a choice to put the needs of others above their own. In this scripture it talks about someone laying down their life for a friend. However, our military men and women lay down their lives for their friends, family, but also for an entire country of complete strangers. Sometimes, they are defending people who are ungrateful, who don’t believe in what they are doing. None the less, our military fights for them, serves them, sacrifices for them. Without these men and women stepping up and willingly laying their lives on the line, our nation would not be able to operate the way it does today. We might not be blessed with the freedom of speech, or the freedom of religion, or the freedom to bear arms. We might not be able to enjoy a normal day with our family and friends without having to worry about our safety. Our nation is able to sleep easy at night because we have a reliable military standing guard. I, for one, am beyond thankful for the men and women who make these sacrifices, who take the oath to serve America. I wholeheartedly feel that God created them with a little something extra. This fourth of July, I hope everyone has a great day with their family and friends. I also hope, though, that each of you will take at least a few minutes to reflect on those who can’t be with their families on this day. The people whose brother or sister, mother or father, husband or wife, is overseas defending our freedom, or the actual military person who is far away from home on this holiday. More importantly, I hope you reflect on the sacrifices of our military, and take a moment to at least silently say ‘thank you’ to our service men and women. It really is the least we could do. In Billy Ray Cyrus’ country song, it says “Still many just don’t understand about the reasons we are free.” I believe a lot of us still don’t understand this, and honestly, unless we’ve been in those shoes, we probably never fully will. It’s not our job to fight for America; we didn’t take that oath, but as citizens of this great country, I completely believe it is our job to support our military and to show them we are thankful. Some will be separated from their families and friends for a long time, and some have made the ultimate sacrifice and will never be with their loved ones again in this life. No matter what situation they are in, all of these men and women should be respected for the choice alone that they made to serve America, the choice to make that ultimate sacrifice if that’s what it takes. So on the fourth of July remember the lyrics to that country song. “And if you ever think of me, think of all your liberties and recall, some gave all.” God Bless America, God Bless our Military and God Bless You All! Dana Bennett
I turned my “Just Rambling” over to my daughter, Dana, this month. I hope you enjoy her article. Van Bennett
Front cover: Little Nicholas Mason on his John Deere Tractor with his wagon and watermelons getting ready for the 50th Louisiana Watermelon Festival held in Farmerville, La.