Beloved Anna Marie,

In a country and world where freedom has become a weapon of mass division and destruction, it seems ironic to celebrate it. We can celebrate the freedom to promote unity, be an instrument of peace, facilitate thriving for people who are struggling and bestow love when it is challenging!

I begin this prayer time in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. "Come Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and kindle in us the fire of your love."

God's Word For Us Today

Jesus said in reply, “I give praise to you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, for although you have hidden these things from the wise and the learned you have revealed them to the childlike...Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for yourselves. For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."

Matthew 11:25,28-30

Reflection: You have revealed [mysteries] to the childlike...Come to me...I will give you rest.

Meditation: How many of us are looking for rest and relief from the burdens of family, work, our or another's illness, grieving, politics, social ills, injustice, oppression, suffering or watching suffering...? We don't have the freedom to choose what befalls us, the people we love or the communities we live in. We have the freedom to choose how we respond.

I choose to look at God and the world like a child looks at the fireworks of freedom on July 4th. I live in awe and wonder at the mysteries of suffering, persecution and injustices. In choosing to be childlike in wonder and expectation, God reveals the meanings. Sometimes I understand; often, I rest in the mysteries of faith, hope and love.

Inspiration: The list of people who are inspiring right now is long. Here are a few: loved ones who are fighting the good fight of suffering in faith with ailments upon ailments; adults who are new to the journey of Christian faith and are seeking to know God more deeply through Scripture and fellowship; volunteers who keep showing up to walk together in the stories of hope found in service; donors who give generously in faith and love without question; people relegated to the margins who show up to receive what they need, week after week, without knowing that they are a living sign of God and inspiration.

Action: Seek rest and revelation about the mysteries of life, like a child, in the arms and loving gaze of Jesus.

Prayer: Lord, help us to embrace the joy of being childlike with you. Thank you, for revealing life's mysteries and giving rest to the people for whom we so fervently pray.

"Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.." 2 Corinthias 3:17