It has been a few years since I have actually "celebrated" 4th of July - America's Independence day; so when Lindsey invited a bunch of us over to her place to hang out and watch the fire works, I took up the offer. Lindsey lives about 4 blocks from where the major fireworks display for the city of Seattle was going to take place.
Lindsey did an amazing job hosting all of us and preparing an excellent selection of food. We had a little BBQ going and some other delicious sides. Coming from a country where eating is the favorite pastime, it was the ideal scenario - good food and great friends hanging out.
As I spent the weekend reflecting on what this day means to my American friends and as a foreigner, like me, living here; I couldn't help but be thankful. Thankful for the land of opportunities and very thankful for freedom. I realize that the freedom we enjoy doesn't come easy and for that I am grateful. I noticed and mentioned to my friend Aik, that at the park where the fireworks display was going to take place, there were a lot of foreigners. It was a good representation of what Seattle is like. I am pretty sure that everyone gathered there that night was thankful to be in this country and thankful for freedom.
I also began to thank God for His blessings on my life and in the life of the country. There have definitely been many set backs in the spiritual and moral climate of the nation but I know God is still working here. I thought about the passage in 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NIV) Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. Another passage quickly came to mind in Psalm 51:10-12 (NIV):
10 Create in me a pure heart, O God,
and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
11 Do not cast me from your presence
or take your Holy Spirit from me.
12 Restore to me the joy of your salvation
and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.
I thought about how desperately we need the Spirit of God to continue to dwell in this nation because then there will be freedom - a true freedom. I pray like David prayed, for myself and for the nation. Thank you Lord for your presence and the freedom we have in You.
Mothers with their "babies" - (L to R) Heather & Ethan; Lily & Janelle; Tanya & Abby.
Waiting around the food area.
Chief BBQer Steve Bolen
Here's everyone getting ready to walk to the Gas Works Park for the fireworks display.
The landmark Gas Works Park in Seattle.
The beautiful Seattle skyline.
Some of the crowd that already gathered when we got there.
The barges where the fireworks were staged.
Here's the gang anxiously waiting the start of the show.
The flyby of the US Flag signaling the start of the show.
Off they go!
The end of a great holiday!
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