It was a still night as far as the weather was concerned but not still in any other regard. I sat out on the back porch while the sky rested dark, but only in small increments. Every other moment the sky lit up with neighborhood fireworks, various booms echoing throughout the Mount Pleasant streets. Nothing official was taking place, just local patriots getting plastered and causing celebratory ruckus on seemingly every corner. Happy 4th of July, I guess?
There was a time that I loved this holiday. Fireworks, grilling, family gatherings, yard games, boat rides, bonfires, and all of the festive things. I still love all of those things, but I find myself feeling less and less patriotic these days. I know the presidential debates took place recently, but I have been so checked out from it all that I not only missed all of it, but I also didn’t realize we had already narrowed the ballot down to these two candidates.
Maybe this is controversial, but I also don’t care, like even a little. That realization in and of itself is sad to me. Being caught up and engaged with politics and current events used to mean a lot to me. For the sake of my mental health though for the last few years, I have almost completely removed myself from it. I couldn’t help but reflect on that as fireworks continued to explode around me last night.
What are we even celebrating? Believe me, American history is important to me. I was a nerd about Hamilton before most of the world because two of my favorite things came together in such a cool way: Broadway and the story of our great nation. But everything that the rest of the world knows America for right now is embarrassing. If I were to travel out of the US right now, I’d imagine that admitting I am an American would get me laughed at. At the very least citizens of other countries have to have a lot of questions right?
I don’t feel like any of the loud voices in American leadership represent me, my morals, values, opinions, beliefs or feelings. It makes me really sad to watch how Americans treat each other, especially, and I’m not sorry for this, how American Christians treat each other. A nation that is supposedly, “God blessed,” is chock full of people who look and act nothing like Jesus. In all honesty, the people who are usually the worst at representing God in our brave nation are the ones who claim to follow him. Typically the people who seem to be the most unforgiving and rude online are Christians that disagree with someone’s politics and lifestyle.
I don’t know, dude. The Jesus I read about preached about loving even our enemies. Sounding off about how incorrect someone’s theology or politics might be isn’t love. Hot take here, but maybe we should be a little more open minded and listen to each other. I promise I am not always perfect at this. I am sure there are lots of times I could be doing better, but I’m trying. I just don’t think that posting a picture of Jesus hugging Trump, or of Jesus washing the feet of Joe Biden is changing anyone’s mind.
For me, it just feels like patriotism is missing the point in 2024. Why would I be vocally proud to be a citizen of a nation that is currently known for its ignorance, hate, judgment, greed, and bickering? I don’t want to be known for that. I don’t want my country to be known for that. I appreciate and deeply respect the foundation of the United States. I cherish what the founding fathers stood for. While I do understand that they were all also flawed individuals, having the freedom of choice, speech, religion, and our own personal pursuits are worthy causes to fight for. I also believe with deep conviction that we would go so much further so much faster if we chased those aspirations through a lens of love.
No side is exempt from this. No one political party is loving better than the other. No one group of Americans is doing it better than the other. I just wish there was a way to pause time, remind everyone what is really important and worthy of praise in American culture. Maybe something on a large scale could shake up our nation and bring it together. You would think the devastation of a global pandemic would pull that off.
I think COVID did that for a moment. For what seemed like a few minutes, we were sharing stories of heroic nurses on the frontlines and finding creative ways to still be together in a world where it was unsafe to physically gather together. But we forgot so quickly, just how precious this whole human experience and existence truly is. Coming out of 2020 and through to today, I believe the negativity, media over exaggeration, and people shouting at each other has only multiplied. I pray that those are just the loud voices and that more people than it feels still remember how quickly our freedom and health seemed to vanish in a moment's notice.
It’s just all too precious to still be yelling at each other. There are so many beautiful moments waiting to happen that just need you to ask the question, “But what does love require of me right now?” None of what you have right now is guaranteed, in fact, 2020 proved it could be gone overnight. That right there, is why political debate and the fact that we have two ill equipped, jokes of candidates running for chief executive officer of the United States of America just don't matter to me.
I’m going to focus on doing my part to make America a country blessed by God. I know that starts right here in my community and my home. It starts with the decision to love better tomorrow than I have today. And so I’ll keep working on that. When our nation gets better at that together, maybe someday in my lifetime, then I will consider being proud to be an American again. Until then, would you join me in praying for our country and doing your part to transform your tiny corner of the world with big love? I hope you have an amazing holiday weekend! I'm considering writing Tommy Boy in as a third party candidate in November, if anyone would like to join me.
You are truly and deeply loved.
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