Life, Liberty and The Pursuit of Happiness

My kids are super excited about the Fourth of July. They love the parties, the decorations, and the fireworks. They love that I pull out some red, white and blue craft for us to do. They love that we always buy or make a new patriotic shirt or outfit to wear. They love that we usually take a trip, maybe to the beach or the mountains.

But I’ve been reflecting on why they should love the fourth. They should love it not for the fun things we do but for what it stands for… freedom. I’m thinking I need to do a better job of teaching them what freedom means and why it is important. I recently asked them if they knew why we celebrated Independence Day. Sadly, neither of them could tell me. I realized that while we talk about freedom and independence nonchalantly, I had never intentionally sat down and explained to them what it means and what it cost.

So, I’ve decided to be more intentional. Here are some ideas I’ve pulled together from various places to help teach my children about why we have liberty.

Discuss the history and meaning of our flag.

Write down reasons we are thankful to be Americans.

Memorize and discuss the second paragraph of the Constitution.

Memorize and discuss the preamble to the Constitution.

Tell at least one military veteran “Thank You” for serving our country.

I also plan to make sure they truly understand the meanings of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.

The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of LIFE, and the man became a living being. Genesis 2:7 NIV

And I will walk at LIBERTY, for I seek Your precepts. Psalm 119:45 NASB

Make me walk along the path of your commands, for that is where my HAPPINESS is found. Psalm 119:35 NLT

Happy Fourth of July!