July 4th Message

The following is not mine...i would love to take credit for it, but i can't. It was written by an executive with Associated Grocers based out of Baton Rouge, his name is JH Campbell, Jr. I hope you enjoy:

If we naively believe that our great country survived and thrived for the last 231 years, only because of the industry of its people, we are being possessed and overtaken with pride. Our forefathers truly exhibited great humility because they understood and believed that God was the reason and source for their great bounty, blessings, and opportunity. In the great patriotic song, “America the Beautiful”, the chorus clearly reminds us that “America, America, God shed His grace on thee, and crown Thy good, with brotherhood, from sea to shinning sea...”

Our great country was the result of a battle (war) between two groups: one a formalized country; and the other a group of people bound together by a resolute belief in God, as the creator of the universe, and a dream of freedom from a monarchy and his religious and other restrictions. To achieve the freedom they desired, they realized that they must be bound together, and therefore give up some of their personal freedom to become “dependent” upon one another. The desire and the dream of freedom were so great that each were willing to support one another fully to achieve the desired goal for all. This paradox of being “dependent”, in order to be “independent” and free, formed the basis upon which our great country was founded. Each of our fore-fathers believed that God would provide for them if they regularly praised Him and gave to Him “thanks” for the many blessings and opportunities which they experienced.

July 4th is the anniversary of the date of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. In the Declaration of Independence, the authors and signers speak of “Nature’s God”, the “Supreme Judge of the world”, and 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.” The document concludes “with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor.”

Is it not strange today to see that God, or any significant reference to God, has been removed from our presence and sight in public buildings, schools, reflections, prayers, communications, etc.? Those offended by any reference to God invoke the “establishment clause” of our Constitution as the basis for their argument, even though such a reference to God is not designed to establish anything (or any religion), but is merely an acknowledgement of a belief or act of faith, neither of which are prohibited by the Constitution of our country.

And yet, the founders of our country believed that Divine Providence was the reason for their coming to the New World to secure the “unalienable rights” endowed by their Creator. Our denial of the presence and impact of our Creator in our lives is not only tragic, but also full of sinful pride. We would do well to humble ourselves before the Creator as our fore-fathers did freely and openly.

Respect and appreciation for human life and human existence is fundamental, since human life is the greatest gift from the Creator. The desire to rid the world of oppression, hatred, and human-induced pain and suffering is noble. To do so, however, we, as a people, must return to the fundamental tenants that our fore-fathers endorsed……Our currency today reminds us, in no uncertain terms, that: “IN GOD WE TRUST”…. If we truly do “trust God”, then we must begin to act accordingly and show the world and one another that we are serious in that belief. I am sure there were many critics and objections 231 years ago, and fortunately for us, there were more dedicated leaders and statesmen who endured the criticism and doubt, and remained committed, faithful, and hopeful to the belief and desire for freedom…and above all “trusted” in God and were not afraid to show that trust in word and deed.

Today, we expect our government to provide for the safety and security of the American people, and yet we must be willing to accept certain limitations on our absolute freedom, and also acknowledge and differentiate our “rights” from our “privileges”. Today, we should freely support the efforts of our law enforcement and intelligence personnel who are charged with the duty to protect the American people from harm each and every day. As Americans, we should fully and unequivocally support all of the men and women of our country’s Armed Forces located throughout the world. The presence and the existence of the United States is real hope to peoples who yearn for the freedom desired by our forefathers some 231 years ago.

On Wednesday, the 4th of July, the great majority of all Americans will be permitted the opportunity to perform basic functions which millions in other countries would love to enjoy. We take for granted our ability to freely, without significant fear or concern, travel, drive a car, go to work, shop in retail stores, invest, buy and sell things, attend recreational and sporting events, golf, fish, hunt, etc., with very little inconvenience or restriction. These freedoms are truly not guaranteed unless we are willing to make certain sacrifices, and accept certain responsibilities. Freedom implies not only responsibility, but also the reality that many “rights”, which we claim, are actually “privileges” for which others provided that opportunity to, and for, us. And yes, for which America has been blessed, by our Creator, as He “shed His Grace on Thee”.

As we celebrate July 4th this Wednesday, please do not forget the source and the reason for the holiday. Please remember our Armed Service men and women and pray for their safe return to their families. Pray for peace in our World and the opportunity for all people to truly enjoy freedom and govern themselves.

To this cause, and as the Declaration of Independence concludes: “with a firm reliance on the protection of Divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our Sacred Honor.”

Have a wonderful Independence Day, and a Happy and Safe July 4th holiday!

Thanks go out to my friend and brother in Christ Mike Bergeron who passes Mr. Campbell's messages like this on to me!