Is anyone besides me feeling less than celebratory about our country’s upcoming 250th? While we can express gratitude over several things about our nation, there is much to lament, much to view honestly about our history and present. There is the tendency of some to skirt these issues instead with a slice of apple or cherry pie and the waving of our flag as if things are copacetic. That things are perfectly fine. Perhaps for some it is just as well to eat the pie, wave the flag, ignore the destruction and keep it moving. However, I am of the mind that we should instead be wearing “sackcloth and ashes” to truly examine and lament.

The matter screams for an entire blog post to be written but that seems exhausting to me because the issues in themselves are exhaustive–though not uncommon to previous generations and governments. We have much work to do inwardly and outwardly with God’s help if we so desire and yield to it. I celebrate (at least for now) being able to write and post in full honesty. I celebrate the boldness, courage, perseverance and sacrifices of those past and present who have attempted to hold our nation to its convictions. I celebrate community near and far for which makes bearing through the struggles much more possible. For those who already know and consider ourselves first and foremost citizens of another Kingdom, God’s Kingdom, continue to seek the welfare of your city and community where God has placed you (Jeremiah 29:7). Be a repairer of the breach as described in Isaiah 58:12. 

-Nicole