Fireworks and War

Independence Day. It’s the day we celebrate the freedom of our country. It’s the time of year when fireworks are all over the place and parties are in the mix.

This year I got a bit of a different perspective on our freedom as I watched an amazing fireworks show on the Fourth of July, our Independence Day. Some of the flashes seemed so much brighter and the “booms” seemed so much louder this year. Some of the flashes were almost blinding to me and the booms shook me and echoed through the air.

As I was in my comfortable bag-chair surrounded by family and friends watching the show, I was struck with the thought of people in countries that are not free. The bright flashes that they see are buildings, vehicles and homes that are exploding. The booms that they hear are gunfire or bombs being set off.

They don’t get to experience the beauty of fireworks like we do.

They don’t get to celebrate with flashes and booms like we do.

Instead, they live in fear of where it’s going to come from next and how close it is to them. This may even become normal to them. It’s unimaginable to me.

We get irritated at how people begin to celebrate days before the Fourth of July and continue to celebrate days after. I don’t get excited about it either but keeping perspective on our freedom and others lack of freedom has given me an extra amount of grace for those that seem to get overly excited or in some ways may even simply be irresponsible with the fireworks. 

Freedom is not to be taken for granted. Appreciate it for what it is and thank those who have sacrificed so that we can enjoy the beautiful celebration that in some cases last for days. There are many people who don’t get to enjoy the temporary flashes and booms that come with celebrations.

Freedom comes at a price which makes it worth celebrating.