The Moral of the Story -- Cindy Trane Christeson

“We find freedom when we find God; we lose it when we lose Him.”

-- Paul E. Scherer

Many of you celebrated your Fourth of July with family, friends, food

and possibly even fireworks, depending on where you live. Besides sharing

watermelons and barbecues, many of you probably shared stories,

discussions or even deliberations about our country, freedom and the

Pledge of Allegiance.

My family and I had many interesting discussions recently about those

issues, as well as truth, history and God. Last weekend, we visited The

Falls Church in Virginia, which was established in 1732. It was given the

name because of its location near the Little Falls on the Potomac River.

George Washington was elected a vestryman there.

Over the course of its life, the church was used as a recruiting

station in the Revolution and as a stable by Union troops. My husband,

Jon, and I toured the church and the old cemetery, and it was intriguing

to think of the history within those old brick walls and grassy grounds.

Obviously, those walls didn’t speak, but the written material spoke

loudly of the church continuing its original founders’ commitment to

honor, love and being in relationship with God. There is wisdom, and

freedom, in keeping God in his proper place of authority.

The next day, our family attended another nearby church, and we heard

a powerful sermon about our country’s history and heritage. The pastor

explained that though our country was founded on God’s truth and

principles, our society has eroded as we have forced God out of public

life. If people will turn their hearts back to God individually, we have

a chance of turning our nation back to its original strong foundation.

We also heard a moving medley of the different service hymns of each

of the armed forces. Those who had, were related to, or presently served

stood when their song was played and the audience clapped. It was a

powerful reminder that we need to respect, remember and honor those who

have sacrificed for our freedom. For many, the price was paid in blood.

Let us not only celebrate the birthday of our country’s independence

one day a year. Let us ensure it by praying every day for the hearts not

only of our country’s leaders, but also of all men and women. Living

among our amber waves of grain and from sea to shining sea are people

created by and loved by God, and with whom God desires a relationship.

This morning before waking to finish this column, I had a dream in

which I saw a churning sea filled with many different sizes and kinds of

boats, some going in circles, others bumping into each other, and many

floating aimlessly. It was as if nobody was at the helm of the ships,

nobody was navigating. After the tidal wave of terror in September, many

people turned the helm of their boats and their hearts over to God. I

pray that we continually ask God to be our navigator and that we find our

ultimate freedom in him.

Long after the fireworks stands are dismantled, let’s remember what

our country was built upon. I’m proud to sing “God Bless America,” but I

pray that America would seek to bless God. And you can quote me on that.

* CINDY TRANE CHRISTESON is a Newport Beach resident who speaks

frequently to parenting groups. She may be reached via e-mail at o7

cindy@onthegrow.comf7 or through the mail at P.O. Box 6140-No. 505,

Newport Beach, CA 92658.