Every July, the smell of grilled hot dogs and the pop of fireworks in the sky mark more than just another holiday. For me, July 4th is a sacred reminder of the incredible heritage we’ve been given as Americans. It’s more than parades and sparklers—it's a celebration of the freedoms that were fought for, bled for, and too often forgotten.
Our forefathers fought and died to give us a nation rooted in liberty:
👉 Freedom to worship without fear.
👉 Freedom to speak our minds—even if we don’t all agree.
👉 Freedom to vote and have a voice in our future.
These freedoms weren’t handed to us wrapped in a bow—they were earned through grit, loss, and an unshakable belief in what this country could be.
> “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord, the people he chose for his inheritance.”
– Psalm 33:12
For the past six years, I’ve had the privilege—and the heartache—of being a Blue Star mom. That means someone I love deeply wears the uniform, serves our nation, and stands ready to defend those very freedoms we sometimes take for granted. And let me tell you, when your child raises their hand to serve, suddenly the word freedom takes on a whole new weight.
I see it all the time—people forgetting. Forgetting that our freedom came at a steep price. That millions perished to give us the right to argue, to worship, to build lives on our own terms. Sometimes I get discouraged when I see people complaining that freedom means “everything should be free”—as if the right to pursue a good life means it should just be handed to us.
Or when freedom of religion gets twisted into an excuse to mock or persecute people of faith—especially Christians and Jews. That’s not freedom. That’s intolerance dressed up in hypocrisy.
And don’t even get me started on the politicians who get rich while claiming they’re “serving the people.” I’m pretty sure our founding fathers didn’t cross an ocean and go to war so someone could pad their bank account in the name of patriotism.
Sometimes I find myself longing for a simpler America—one where hard work was honored, where a person could have a home, a job, and raise their family without fear of being targeted for what they believe. Not a perfect past, but a place where faith, family, and freedom weren’t buzzwords—they were real.
> “It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.”
– Galatians 5:1
And while I love this country and the freedoms it offers, the greatest freedom I have isn’t found in the Constitution—it’s found at the foot of the Cross. God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to offer us freedom—freedom from sin, from shame, from eternal separation. Real freedom. Eternal freedom. All He asks in return is that we believe in Him and trust in His plan for our lives.
> “So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.”
– John 8:36
This July, I’m challenging myself—and you—to pause between the fireworks and BBQs and ask:
What does America mean to you?
Not the headlines. Not the politics. But at its core. What do you cherish most about being an American? And even more importantly—what does freedom in Christ mean to you?
Let’s not forget what this country was built on. Let’s remember what so many have sacrificed to give us. And maybe, just maybe, let’s live like we still believe that liberty—both earthly and eternal—is worth defending.
With gratitude and hope,
Aimee
Proud Blue Star Mom, Faith-Fueled Creator, and Lover of All Things Red, White, and Sparkly ✨
