"Freedom Story"

 “For the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom.” ~ 2 Corinthians 3:17 (NLT) 

This  story is very straightforward. It is a day of celebration and  remembrance of what the Lion (Jesus) has done for everyone. Kristin and I  wrote this story based around our traditional 4th of July day with  Tommy. Here are the highlights of the story.

The  family spends the morning playing in the pond. Then Toby helps his dad  gather food while his mom sets out a blanket for them to eat on. Before  they eat, they pray and thank the Lion for the meadow in which they live  as well as his faithfulness. It’s important for parents to set an  example of thankfulness for their kids. Spending a day together and  praying together is a great way to show this.

As  the day went on, they went to the baseball game. Here is where Toby  meets the Ticket Master, (Jesus). Toby doesn’t have any tickets so he  can’t get into the game. The Ticket Master let’s him know that he has  tickets for him and his parents that have already been paid for by the  Lion. Toby excitedly brings back the tickets to his parents. His mom  smiles and says, “Yes, Toby. He does this for everyone. All you have to do is accept them.”  This part of the story is a tangible way to show kids that freedom  isn’t free. It has cost someone something. Salvation was paid for by Jesus Himself. We are free because of His sacrifice for us.

They enjoy the baseball game where the whole herd has gathered. Everyone is  just happy to be at the game. It’s not about the competition but more  about the community gathering together. We are all the church. We are  all united in Christ. When we come together, it shouldn’t be about our  differences, but about the joy that the Savior has given each one of us.

Toby  and his family leave the baseball game to go watch the shooting stars  that come on this night every year. They sit back in awe as the heavens  light up. Toby’s dad explains to him that the shooting stars happen on  this night every year because the Lion is faithful. They leave to head  back home, and Toby looks up into the sky and thanks the Lion.

4th  of July is a time of celebration with beach days, BBQ’s, baseball  games, and fireworks. Most of us will get together with family, friends,  or our community. We sing songs to honor our nation and those that have  fought for our freedom. Let us not forget that God has set us free from  sin. He has sacrificed His son for us. Independence Day is a great day  to teach our kids of God’s great plan and how He has set us free!

God,  to You be the Glory on High. I thank You for setting me free. I thank  You for setting the world free. We are free to choose. Jesus, I choose  You. I choose to live in freedom of the spirit and not of the flesh. I  choose righteousness over lawlessness. I choose to love instead of to  hate. I will honor You all the days of my life. To You be my praise.  Amen.