Isn’t it amazing how certain birthdays can bring a sense of freedom? A short chat recently with a soon to be kindergartner reminded me how we give turning a certain age power. He had turned five years old so now he can go to kindergarten. He can ride the bus to school. He can pack his own lunch to take to school in a lunch box he gets to pick out. It’s all very exciting!

Have you been around teenagers approaching eighteen? Does the conversation frequently lead to a litany of “I can” statements? Maybe they sound like, “When I turn 18, I can I get a tatoo without parental consent. . . I can open a credit card account. . . I can sign up for the draft. . . I can work more hours at the grocery store.” Freedom can be seductive at any age.

Some of us have reached, or look forward to the age of sixty-five. Perhaps it means retiring or receiving well-earned benefits from working hard. Maybe it means more freedom to spend time with loved ones, or travel, or pursue long-stagnant hobbies. It can be the stuff dreams are made of.

How blessed we are that God has given us free will to make our own choices! As our nation celebrates another birthday this month, I am so thankful to the men and women who freely choose to devote their lives to preserving the freedoms of our country, so that we can . . .