The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Our Freedom
Our Independent Ways

by Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Publisher

7 July 1999

Yes, freedom. Isn't it great?

Whenever you get out of a bad situation the first thing you think of is "freedom". And you state: "No one is ever going to take it away from me again."

Have you ever said that?

It is hard to live under rules you disagree with. Whether in a country, a community, a job or family, living under the control where you have no vote is something a wise thinking individual can not tolerate.

In America.... freedom is wonderful. We have an opportunity to vote, run for office and campaign for what we feel is important. Or we can support those who share in our way of thinking.

In our communities, churches, and schools we have the opportunity to take an active part in making things better. Hopefully, it is not about that nasty word "control," but about grasping an opportunity to make things better in a world we have inhabited.

I like the Army recruitment advertisements: "Be all that you can be." I don't think you have to join the Army to do this, but I believe in America, we really have the freedom to be anything ........if we take advantage of our freedom.

Some do not. Some, though independent, make excuses, or they just sit on their hands and watch TV.

If you always wanted to do something and it is a constructive thing, try it. If it doesn't work out, try it again, make adjustments, learn from the failures, then try again.

Remember your first step toward freedom? Remember getting your drivers license, then driving the family car for the first time-by yourself?.

Yes! It was finally, that day you didn't get all that extra advice from mom and dad about how to drive. It was a true experience of freedom.

"I have to be in by what time?"

Well, I was almost independent. It was still mom and dad's car. I still lived in mom and dad's house. I still went to them when the car needed serviced or had a flat tire. I still had to take extra good care of the car or I wouldn't be using it for awhile.

Along with complete freedom comes a lot of responsibility. We must take great care of the things we are free to use or we could lose them.

That's the way Freedom is in America. We have beautiful parks where we can camp and visit, but we must live under the rules that protect them: prevent forest fires, plant trees, monitor the hunting and fishing.

We are independent and free to shop, worship, and vote, but we must be responsible to whatever cause we choose or we will end up loosing that which we love so much.

What could you lose?

At 16, it would have been the freedom to drive if not a responsible driver (drink and drive, drugs, driving reckless).

At 21, it may have been the freedom to work if not a responsible worker (skipping work, or not showing up, etc.).

As a college student it could be the opportunity to earn a college degree if not a responsible student (not obeying the rules-being expelled).

As a family member, one could lose your position within a family, if in your independence you show abuse and neglect.

As freedom is held dear to each of us, we have to first become responsible before we earn the right to any freedom.

A responsible person will be given the freedom to:

A responsible father has the right to be in control of his family, but the key is this. Bound up with independence and freedom, there must be love and respect. To be wise and keep our freedoms, we must carry so much love that we are willing to do whatever we can to sustain, nurture, and protect whatever we are in charge of.

Our freedom was initially given to us from God. It is men who abused it. Love was initially given to us from God. Men also misused it, trying to meet their own needs alone.

The freedom and independence of our country is a far nobler idea. It leaves out love of self and replaces it with love for others and includes love of righteousness.

This is the measure of success that puts freedom in America on a pedestal. Those using this measure are better able to be all that they can be, as they strive also to be all that God intended:people of noble character..