Independence is Always Based on Dependence

Dear Reader:

It finally happened! Wednesday evening the booming sounds heard from far off gradually grew closer and closer until lightning was flashing outside my front windows. The electricity flickered…*I had just run out minutes before to roll up my windows ( in the nick of time) and grab my lit patriotic lanterns…not wanting them destroyed in the powerful summer thunder storm which was now gusting across the neighborhood.

After two more electrical flickers I turned off my computer and television…sitting in the growing darkness with two patriotic lanterns glowing on the fireplace mantel. Suddenly I felt overwhelmed with appreciation for this country, for freedom, and sacrifice.

The loud thunder that shook the house amid the lightning streaks flashing across the sky was God’s own fireworks for this special occasion. Somewhere in the midst of watching it all play out through my happy room windows… I had an epiphany.

It dawned on me…we can’t have independence without being dependent on God and His guidance in our lives. I felt myself thanking God for His blessings upon us…

And so, God
On this memorable occasion,
In the midst of Your Mighty fireworks
Help me remember that…
Our independence from tyranny
Is based on our Dependence
On You.

I then walked out on the porch and placed the last lantern on “Little Big Red” ….proudly blooming on yet another Independence Day!

What a wonderful family gathering this Fourth of July…with more family than we have had in quite awhile…which made it even more memorable and fun. Mollie’s and Rutledge’s plane landed in Charleston around 5:30 and it was great to have everyone home safe and sound. Eloise was so excited to see mommy and Rutledge!

Surcie (my car) is really getting spruced up but I must admit I was sad when (in over a decade) my new license plate arrived after I paid my taxes…I will miss AID 500….I never forgot that license plate and this one is just some numbers and letters. I saved my old license and propped it up by my desk computer.

“Bye Trusty License Plate…You served me well and saw a little excitement there at the end too!”

I will always remember when I got my new cloth steering wheel covering…July 4, 2019! Looking good Surcie!!!!!

About Becky Dingle

I was born a Tarheel but ended up a Sandlapper. My grandparents were cotton farmers in Laurens, South Carolina and it was in my grandmother’s house that my love of storytelling began beside an old Franklin stove. When I graduated from Laurens High School, I attended Erskine College (Due West of what?) and would later get my Masters Degree in Education/Social Studies from Charleston Southern. I am presently an adjunct professor/clinical supervisor at CSU and have also taught at the College of Charleston. For 28 years I taught Social Studies through storytelling. My philosophy matched Rudyard Kipling’s quote: “If history were taught in the form of stories, it would never be forgotten.” Today I still spread this message through workshops and presentations throughout the state. The secret of success in teaching social studies is always in the story. I want to keep learning and being surprised by life…it is the greatest teacher. Like Kermit said, “When you’re green you grow, when you’re ripe you rot.”

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