I can still see the green Coleman metal cooler and the metal lawn chairs—woven with brown and mustard yellow plastic, forever tacky and hot for the next person who sat down. In the background, my dad and uncle are preparing the charcoal grill for burgers and dogs. Off to the side are picnic tables covered with real fabric tablecloths and always a citronella candle or two.  Added to the meal was usually a tray of pickles and olives, along with endless desserts. Mom always made Heavenly Hash (also known as Ambrosia Salad). A Jello-O mold of some sort appeared, too. I’m pretty sure my brothers and I survived the entire day on Kool-Aid, Pixie Sticks, and Bugles corn snacks (you know, the ones you put on the top of each finger, eat one by one, and then reload for a second round).

Not to mention the numerous cans of bug spray that coated our entire bodies, making us extra sticky. A First-Aid kit sat nearby because inevitably, one of us would fall while climbing the gigantic boulders, get pelted by a lawn dart that we weren’t able to dodge, or burn our legs going down the hot metal slide at the playground.

It was the picture-perfect postcard of a 1980s summer picnic—our annual Fourth of July family day trip to Devil’s Den National Military Park in Gettysburg, PA. Those picnics forever hold one of the largest squares in the fabric of my patchwork memory quilt. To some, it was just another day, just another picnic. To me, it was everything my childhood was about—skipping stones in the nearby creek, using the bathhouse that felt like a sauna, running around catching lightning bugs in empty plastic potato salad containers. It was a day that brought us together. A day that my very patriotic family honored, appreciated, and felt immensely grateful for all we had. A day full of great food, skinned knees, and lots of laughter. Of sunshine and sweet memories.

As dusk would draw near, with a patriotic sweatband wrapped around his head, my dad would pull out the boxes of Easy Lite gold sparklers. Everyone would gather around as he delivered his annual speech on “sparkler safety”. We would wait, rather impatiently, for him to wrap it up so we could twirl lit sparklers and make fun designs in the air.

Independence Day is one of my favorite holidays. I love the fireworks, picnics, country music blaring in the background, swimming holes, wearing patriotic clothes, and yes, watermelon seed spitting contests! 

But amid all the patriotic hoopla that I enjoy, Independence Day is a reminder to spend extended time in prayer. As we watch the fireworks light up the sky tomorrow, let’s remember the light of Christ Jesus that shines in our hearts, illuminating the way to true freedom. As we enjoy grilled hamburgers and Cornhole tournaments, let’s remember the sacrificial love of Christ, who gave up His life as a ransom for many. In celebration of our nation’s independence, let’s celebrate the spiritual freedom we have in Christ. “Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom” (2 Corinthians 3:17). The Holy Spirit ushers in clear focus to our freedom — “do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love” (Galatians 5:13).

Dear friends, our chains are gone. We have been set free! Our God, our Savior, has ransomed us, and like a flood, His mercy reigns. Unending love, amazing grace.

Happy Fourth of July ~
Pastor Jen