Freedom Isn't Free

I received an e-mail from a newsletter I subscribe to this morning. It contained the words of the full Declaration of Independence penned in 1776.
The last time I read through it in it's entirety was in high school, and I have to admit, I didn't pay much attention to it except for what I had to memorize for the test.

Today, as I read through the opening paragraphs, I thought of those courageous men, and their families, who literally put their lives on the line to gain our independence from tyranny.
Amazing stuff, don't you think?
It took a lot of courage to stand up and shake their collective fists at the nation that birthed them. But as I read these words, composed with conviction, it really hit me how deeply they understood what they must do:

"Prudence, indeed, will dictate that governments long established should not be changed for light and transient causes.......But when a long train of abuses and usurpations, pursuing invariably the same object, evinces a design to reduce them under absolute despotism, it is their right, it is their duty, to throw off such government, and to provide new guards for their future security. "

British rule was all they had ever known, much like our system of government - that they wisely established  - is all we've ever known. 
But for the sake of future generations of Americans, they stepped out on faith and trusted Almighty God to guide their cause.

America was, and still is the greatest nation on the face of the earth.
I am a proud patriot and forever will be.
No question, I love my country, in all it's strengths and all it's failings.

No thing, no nation is perfect.
But in America, mistakes are lessons learned and failures are open doors to opportunity. 
I, for one, am grateful to live in a land made free by the blood, sweat and tears of patriot generations before me. 
My prayer is that future generations of Americans will continue to know the freedom that makes us great. 

God Bless America!
~~Robin

(Scrapbook page created in MDS - My Digital Studio software. For more information on MDS Software and digital downloads, visit my website at www.robinstamps4u.stampinup.net)