It's a strange moment in the history of the nation to be having this celebration of our independence. A pandemic ravages the planet, people take to the street in levels of protests that we haven't seen since the 1960's, and there's an economic upset that threatens not only to compete with the Great Depression, but to take the record. Insert a heavy sigh here.
And yet, perhaps out of these ruins, we can build something better. It's happened before.
I'm grateful that I had a chance to know my grandmother in a deeper way than I would have if she had died when I was younger. She had survived more than I thought I would ever face: the Great Depression, World War II, various types of poverty. And yet, she not only survived, but she had a rugged resilience and a stubborn optimism.
I began the 4th of July week-end yesterday by hearing this new song by Rhiannon Giddens. It, too, reminds me that resilience comes out of adversity.
It's a good day to be inspired by those men who signed the Declaration of Independence on this day in 1776. They pledged their lives, their fortunes, and their sacred honor, so great was their belief in what they were doing. It's a good day to think about our commitments, our values, what we hold most true.
Of course, it's always a good day to do that--let me always be trying to live a life that's in sync with my truest values. Let me always be ready to stake my sacred honor on principles that are that important.
Today let us pray for those who are oppressed by tyranny of any kind. I will say a prayer for protection and for liberty from tyrannies of all sorts. Today and every day. Let us pledge allegiance to our God who sets us free.
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