What a price to pay for Freedom! Traveling into unknown territories, unsure if the decisions that face you will have lasting consequences, knowing the enemies are near, but unable to be seen, perhaps facing devastating injuries and yes, even death. All these power-packed realities confront our soldiers during war. However, this can also be descriptive of the battles that a father may have to fight to protect his family and provide freedom during the war of life back home. Let us take a close look at a few of these challenges that confronted my father, a soldier on our home front! Nehemiah 4:13,14 says that we will have to fight for our families.

It was not until I was a young adult that I began to realize only a part of what my dad had done to provide freedom for our family during these war-like conflicts. Looking back, my parent’s strategy called “home-schooling,” was significant in supporting the beginning years of our education. Deuteronomy 6:5-7 explains how we should teach these principles to our children.

I knew my mother and father would not have begun this schooling process without first consulting with God. My dad’s strong leadership and support was essential to the success that we attained. At this time in our country’s history, racial discrimination was prominent in certain geographical areas and we, being African Americans, were part of one. Hence, with my mother being a teacher, she and my father decided to begin our formal education at home. Proverbs 2:6, promised them that the Lord would give wisdom when needed.

Storms and emotional stressors confronted each of us, as my sister, brother and I later entered a small one-room school two miles from our home. I clearly remember my dad meeting situations head on, just as a soldier would, with a resolution the first issue on the agenda. He and my mother were regularly present at school events and parentteacher conferences, and I clearly recall the undefinable freedom that I felt knowing dad was there!

As we children grew up, changing mentally and physically, dark clouds at times would loom, wars of life and storms were seen on the horizon. The family altar was visited frequently, with my father calling on our Heavenly Father for wisdom and discernment! Using Psalms 91:11 to encourage us that, true freedom would sustain us as it came down from Heaven!

Soon, on July 4th, this country will celebrate 250 years since the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. By many, this independence was equated with freedom. Independence that was hard fought for, both within the country and without, yet still not complete.

The freedom our Lord offers us is complete freedom. Available right now with only one prerequisite, “knowing the truth”. “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”, John 8:32. Freedom is yours, now! The LORD is that truth! And when one has Him, he has it all! The LORD has made everything and nothing is too hard for Him. Jeremiah 32:17, 27. As you plan to celebrate, remember the “true freedom” that is freely offered to all people and is secured by the King of the universe.

Grace Abounds Ministries is founded on this truth, we are fortified by His power and continue to invite you to join those who are supporting us with prayer and finances. Those in the local Rocky Mount, Virginia area can hear our inspirational radio clips on Radio 90.9 FM, at 7: 49 AM, 1:59 PM and 5: 59 PM, join us!

Remember, Moreover, the law entered that the offense might abound. But where sin abounds, grace does much more abound! Until next time!