I couldn’t help but stop on my drive tonight and take a picture of this brilliantly striped, red, white, and blue sky. What a perfect view on a day that means so much. I couldn’t help but think about how often stripes represent our freedom. The stripes of our flag that was so carefully designed to represent the the character of the new country that was birthed through the desire to be free. The stripes on the ribbons that decorate the brave and sacrificial soldier. And then the stripes that gave me true freedom that will last forever, the stripes on the back of my savior who paid the ultimate price for my freedom. I am in awe of the love he has for even me. 

Isaiah 53:5 But he was pierced for our transgressions, and he was crushed for our iniquities. The punishment that brought our peace was on him; and by his stripes we are healed.