Independence

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I looked up the definition of independence a few minutes ago.  I’m listening to Josh Groban sing at the Washington D.C. 4th of July celebration.  Everything red – white – blue ... fireworks ... beautiful music.  What a blessed nation we are!
Back to that definition:  Independence – (n) freedom from the control, influence, support, aid, or the like, of others.  Independent  - (adj) not influenced or controlled by others in matters of opinion, conduct, etc.; thinking or acting for oneself... not subject to another's authority or jurisdiction; autonomous; free: not influenced by the thought or action of others.
Tonight, as America celebrates the special gift of independence, I look at my mother sitting across the room and ache because she will be surrendering her independence.  Her body, against her will, will take away her control as the cancer grows and takes charge.  She will be subject to the authority of doctors, nurses, her children...and eventually her disease.  She will eventually have decisions made for her that she will be unable to make for herself.  It sounds like a recipe for heartbreak and disaster and bleakness and everything morbid and unjust.
But then we put on the “belt of truth” and discover that no matter what this disease does to her body...no matter how tough the days get as her spirit wanes and moves towards crossing over to her real home...cancer CANNOT steal away her greatest strength...a FAITH that’s been tried and proven.  She will soon experience independence and freedom like we cannot even imagine.  She will live free in a world where there’s no sin...no disease to corrupt our fallible bodies...no heartache or heartbreak of separation.  She will sit at the feet of her Savior and rejoice.  And it is that hope in us that helps us celebrate freedom despite our circumstances.
Thank You, Lord...for the belt of truth.

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