I did a DNA test, and it confirmed what I already knew—I’m a Mayflower descendant.
My eighth great-grandfather was Edward Doty. He sailed on the Mayflower from England as a servant to a man named Stephen Hopkins. Edward’s story isn’t the most positive of the Mayflower passengers. He was a rebel. He stood up for what he believed, and sometimes that got him into trouble.
Edward was the first of my family’s long line of freedom fighters. My relatives served in the Revolutionary War, the War of 1812, the Civil War, the Spanish American War, World Wars I and II, Korea, Vietnam . . . They proudly served America and protected its citizens’ rights and freedom. I’m proud of them, each and every one!
November 11, Veteran’s Day, is a day set aside for honoring all who served in our armed forces. But it’s more than that. It is a day to reflect on the idea of freedom.
From the beginning, God allowed humans the right to choose. The first example is when He let Adam choose names for all the species of Earth’s animals (Genesis 2:20). Then God gave Adam and Eve a perfect garden in which to live and just one rule—not a dictatorial command that must be obeyed, but a rule carrying the flexibility of choice.
. . .the Lord told him, “You may eat fruit from any tree in the garden, except the one that has the power to let you know the difference between right and wrong . . .”
(Genesis 2:16–17)
Given the freedom to choose, Eve and Adam chose wrong. They disobeyed and unleashed evil into the world. Still, God didn’t take freedom away from His humans. He continued to allow people to choose how they want to live. He wanted (and wants) us to willfully desire Him and to choose right over wrong.
Thank God we live in a country where the idea of freedom is honored! Today and throughout America’s history, men and women have fought to keep our citizens free. It’s a God-given right. Precious and worth defending.
On Veteran’s Day and every day thank those who have served. But remember also to thank God, not only for women and men who stand against those who want to take away our freedom, but also for allowing us the freedom to choose.
My friends, you were chosen to be free. So don’t use your freedom as an excuse to do anything you want. Use it as an opportunity to serve each other with love.
(Galatians 5:13 CEV)
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God is in the Compost Pile 