Several years ago, while I was pastoring the little Methodist Church in Geary, Oklahoma, a Fourth of July parade was scheduled. Well, there is nothing like a parade in a small town. The entire community gets into the activities. The high school marching band provides the music, there are a few floats, there is a riding club, and even the children are invited to participate by decorating their bicycles and riding in the parade.

Jennifer, my daughter, was five years old and had a bike with training wheels. We spent the morning wrapping streamers through the spokes of her wheels and getting it all decorated so that she could ride it in the parade. She was excited and looking forward to being a part of the activities.

My son Jeff was only three years old and he wanted to be in the parade as …