Day Seven: I’m Thankful For…Freedom.

Preface: I thought it was fitting to express my thanks during the month of November for something new each day, as so many others have done before me. I’ve never taken the time to do this, and it will be a challenge to blog each day, but it’s so important to recognize the blessings God has given us! 🙂 These are in NO particular order…

Until I traveled to the Middle East/North Africa in 2005 (for a month), I admit that I took my freedom for granted. Despite spending the four years prior studying our nation’s history and political science (and gaining a huge appreciation for what our Founding Fathers established), I still didn’t fully grasp how wonderful our country really is in comparison to many countries around the world.

We have it good here.

Since that trip I have done extensive reading about the lives of women in the Middle East (specifically Saudi Arabia and Iran)…and it truly breaks my heart. Books like Reading Lolita in Tehran , Inside the Kingdom, and In the Land of Invisible Women ignited a passion within me for these women who are so oppressed by their governments and their culture…and even their own families. I cannot imagine living in a world where I am unable to live freely… 

I am thankful that I can walk around freely without fear of corrupt police trying to falsely accuse me so that I will pay them off.

I am thankful that I can wear what I would like to wear.

I am thankful that I can say what I want to say when I want to say it (using wisdom and discernment, of course 🙂 ).

I am thankful that I can worship God freely and without constraint.

I am thankful that I can travel freely, by myself if I choose.

I am thankful that I can blog freely without fearing repercussions from the government and without fear of censorship.

And the list goes on and on…

I know that our country is far from perfect, but the freedoms that were established by our Founding Fathers are remarkable and unique, and I believe that they are biblical in nature. God sent Jesus so that we could be set free!

I am SO thankful to have the privilege of living here.