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Greetings!
Next week, on Saturday, July 4th we celebrate our Nations 250th anniversary with what was the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Earlier this year, I was very fortunate to be able to once again visit and tour Independence Hall in Philadelphia. This is where much of the Declaration of Independence was drafted and where it was signed. In my opinion…it is the birthplace of Freedom.
I clearly and vividly recall the Bicentennial celebrations that occurred on the 4th of July in 1976. The celebrations, community events, fireworks, parades, local rodeo and the recently installed bell tower at Brigham Young University that rang non-stop for 15 minutes starting at 12:00 noon.
Much has changed over the past 50 years, but America is still the birthplace of Freedom and it is still America the Beautiful.
I love the song: “America the Beautiful”.
While the music and tune are wonderful, it’s the lyrics that truly touch my heart every time I hear and sing them. Consider the meaning and power behind some of these words that were first written by Katerine Lee Bates in 1893, who was inspired by a hiking trip to the top of Pikes Peak, Colorado. I’ve emphasized some phrases that become more, and more powerful to me every day.
“O beautiful for spacious skies,
For amber waves of grain,
For purple mountain majesties
Above the fruited plain!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet
Whose stern, impassioned stress
A thoroughfare for freedom beat
Across the wilderness!
America! America!
God mend thine every flaw,
Confirm thy soul in self-control,
Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved
In liberating strife,
Who more than self their country loved,
And mercy more than life!
America! America!
May God thy gold refine
Till all success be nobleness
And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream
That sees beyond the years
Thine alabaster cities gleam
Undimmed by human tears!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
And crown thy good with brotherhood
From sea to shining sea!”
This prose is a plea, almost a prayer; that this country, America; will through God’s grace be filled with brotherhood for everyone. That we have flaws, but God will help us to mend all of them and our imperfections, as we exercise self-control and exercise our liberty and freedoms lawfully. Katherine Bates was a young girl from Massachusetts during the height of the Civil War, she had witnessed those who willingly sacrificed everything for their country as she penned this poem and petition, that through God’s grace, America would; in spite of hardships and tears; truly shine, and through brotherhood and goodness remain a beacon of hope and a light to all the world.
One of the most iconic lines of the Declaration of Independence reads:
“We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.”
Isn’t it interesting, that the Declaration of Independence lists the “pursuit” of happiness, not happiness as one of our rights. In a society that has become increasingly polarized, where so many seemed filled with hate and vitriol towards everyone who would dare disagree with them, it seems that the goal and pursuit for many is not happiness but instead, misery and woe.
A wise person has said; “The happiest people don’t have the best of everything…they make the best of everything.”
This 4th of July, as we celebrate 250 years of Freedom, let us strive to “Make the Best of Everything!” Let’s give thanks for those who have made our freedoms possible and honor them in the way we exercise that freedom…for Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That we may stay united as one people crowned with brotherhood. That as a Nation, we will “confirm our souls in self-control and our liberty in law” and look to God to help mend our every flaw.
God Bless America, may we protect Her and remain worthy of Her!
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