Liberty and freedom are words that even adults often have difficulty defining. Any definition is likely going to be yet another abstraction of these abstract words. Thus, we look to concrete symbols to help us explain these important words. It is fitting during this month when we celebrate our nation’s 246th birthday that we reflect on a few of these symbols.
In Joshua 4:1-9 we read that after Israel had crossed the Jordan river, a member from each tribe was to take a stone and erect a memorial of their crossing. The stone memorial was to be a generational reminder of God’s miraculous parting of the river so that the people might cross over. The expectation was that children would ask their fathers about the memorial and that fathers would explain what God had done for them as a people.
It is right and good for us to remember the sacrifice of so many that made our country possible and that has preserved us as a nation. It is even better to remember with eternal gratitude the sacrifice that made our redemption possible.
It comes around once each year, and moms and kids start scrambling for gift ideas for dear old Dad. Dads can be notoriously challenging when it comes to giving them gifts. But we suspect that the majority of dads are most grateful not for the gift but for the gift-givers, those wives and children who make their lives complete and bring joy and purpose to their days.
Our mission is to advance Judeo-Christian principles and values in Wisconsin by strengthening, preserving, and promoting marriage, family, life and liberty.
© 2021 Wisconsin Family Council
