I’ll never forget being 16 years old and hearing my dad explain how he willingly signed his name on a dotted line stating, even if it cost him his life, he would defend our nation’s freedom.
I was stunned with the realization that defending America’s freedom may require such great sacrifice.
Two of the greatest blessings God has given me are a mother and father who love God, love each other, love our family, and love our nation. My mom has been committed to praying for America for many years. She has also led prayer teams across the country to pray for our nation. My dad served as a pilot for 24 years in the United States Air Force. He has flown across the world and trained the next generation of pilots to continue to defend our nation.
My parents helped me understand that previous generations have protected America’s freedom for us. And we must know, remember, and defend this freedom for future generations.
On Sunday, we will celebrate our nation’s 245th birthday. Something I especially enjoy doing with my family on July 4th is reading the Declaration of Independence together.
The words of the Declaration of Independence are, quite literally, revolutionary.
While our nation is not perfect, its cornerstone of truth remains strong, “… all men are created equal… they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
The Declaration of Independence boldly proclaims the truth that God, not government, gives us rights. What follows includes details of how the British Monarchy infringed, numerous times, upon the God-given rights of citizens. (And taxation without representation isn’t even at the top of the list!)
The Declaration of Independence was just the beginning of a fight for freedom. Though the battlefronts look a bit different than those of 1776, the fight for freedom continues. Now, the fight for freedom includes defending preborn life, religious liberty, and parental rights.
The children of Israel were instructed to remember how God brought them out of bondage into freedom and teach the next generation the testimony of God’s goodness.
Similarly, we must remember the testimony of God’s grace on America and teach this to the next generation.
This July 4th, as you celebrate with family and friends, I encourage you read the Declaration of Independence together and remember its words penned by a generation who sacrificed for freedom – and the freedom of generations to come.
For Freedom,
Nicole Hudgens
Government Affairs
