Nestled in the beauty of Northern Indiana, the little town of Nappanee has been the site of my Independence Day celebrations for the last several years. (I am sad not to be able to be there this year.) Sitting at the end of my parents’ driveway provides a front-row seat to the fireworks display that is shot from the little park in town. Viewing the droves of Amish families walking down the street toward the park provides nearly as much delight in my heart as the fireworks themselves provide.

My current plan is that the posts on Petals from the Basket this week will be about America. I want to start the week by posting three simple ways to celebrate our nation:

1. Plan to celebrate: 

Wear red, white and blue as often as possible this week! Eat strawberries and blueberries! Attend a fireworks display (and honor your leaders with respect if they choose to cancel them due to the widespread drought)! Display your flag! Buy a flag to display! (They’re surprisingly inexpensive.) Host or attend a barbecue! Read the Declaration of Independence (sooooo easy to find online)! Sing a patriotic song! Attend a patriotic concert! Just celebrate!

2. Positively speak of America:

Gossip, slander and hatred are forbidden by God. His Word contains no “exception clauses.” Do I like every law in America? No. Will I abide by the laws of America? Yes (unless that law conflicts with God’s commands). Stirring up a “mob mentality” on Facebook or via blog postings or newspaper articles is wrong—plain and simple. Yes, I trust Christ-following commentators and writers to tell me the Christian viewpoint on things I would not otherwise know. However, when they cross over into hatred, they are no longer welcome to plant their attitudes into a part of my mind or my heart. Yes, that includes brash, mean-spirited talk show hosts and columnists as well. If you feel comfortable following their teachings, please continue doing so—and I say that sincerely. This is, after all, a free country. But please, let your words of concern be spoken through the filter of a God-following heart. Yes, you represent leaders you believe in, but you represent Christ first.

3. Pray for America:

Will you join me this week in praying for America DAILY from now until Friday? I am choosing to focus my patriotic thoughts heavenward this week through a daily time of praying for our nation’s leaders, our church leaders, and our American troops who are serving on behalf of all of us.

I rarely “talk to God” on my blog, but this week I would like to end each post with a written prayer for our country. Some days I will use my own words; others, the words of Scripture or of songs. I trust you will join me as I plan to celebrate, positively speak of, and pray for this wonderful land I call my earthly home!

Father, I begin this week of celebration by thanking you for the freedom I have on this day to speak of You publicly and without fear. Let my words be true, but ever pleasing to You, when I speak of this country. God, please “bless America—land that I love. Stand beside her, and guide her through the night with a light from above.” We need You, Lord. You can do what seems impossible, and that includes opening the eyes of the leaders of our land that have no relationship with you. Lead believers into their paths that will teach them your truths and point them to the grace You freely offer all who believe. We need You, Lord. Thank You for hearing and answering our prayers as we bring them before You in the name of Your precious Son, Jesus. Amen.