Good evening dear ones. Our week has begun. We hope it has started out well for you. A lot of festivities are in store this coming week, in honor of July 4th, Independence Day. So many celebrations are taking place and of course, the fireworks shows are on their way.
As kids, we used to get some of our own fireworks and go down to the beach near our childhood house to light them. Me and Scott would walk down there by ourselves. We never realized at that time, how completely dangerous that was. One summer Scott lit a firecracker that seemed to go off backwards and chased me and Scott up a small hill. Needless to say, we never did that again.
Many injuries take place every year at this time, with people using fireworks at home. I always think it is safest and best to attend a firework display being organized by professionals who are schooled in exactly what they’re doing. There are so many firework shows on the Fourth of July. Usually you just have to find a good spot to be able to view them in a safe environment.
As fun as July 4th is for millions of people, it’s important to keep in mind that it represents the freedom of our nation. Freedom should never be taken for granted. Many people still live without the freedoms that we enjoy every day.
Only oceans away, people are still being enslaved and oppressed. Let us never forget those still fighting for freedom. The fight is not over for them. All people should be free, regardless of gender, race, religion or financial status. All living beings are meant to, and deserve to be free. We pray for those who are still living as prisoners. We pray for a day when they can know freedom as well.
As far as I see it, if there are still people who are not free, then we are ALL not truly free. When all people, of all nations are free, then, and only then, shall we know true freedom. We send gratitude for the freedom that we have but we pray for that same freedom for all people.
Our strongest prayers are being sent out tonight for the 19 firefighters that were lost in the Yarnell blaze in Arizona, near Prescott. All of these firefighters, are heroes. Without a second thought, they jumped on their trucks to contain this raging fire but it overtook them and they never returned home. God bless these heroes and their families. God bless them for their sacrifice. A hero is a hero forever. A hero is never forgotten.
We end our prayers by asking God to protect his most precious creatures, the animals. Too many innocent and defenseless animals are being hunted, abused, abandoned and neglected. We must be their voice. We must fight in their name. We must never abandon these helpless angels who need and deserve so much more.
Spread the word of compassion, wherever you can. Every day offer kindness to those in need. Do your best to make this world a more loving place. Let us all make a pledge to take part in a return to humanity. This world desperately needs it.
No lives will go in vain. No pain will go unnoticed. Amen.
Love from,
Jessica Lee Smith,
For Sammy & Family
