That woman in the middle of the picture was born on July 4th, and I’d give anything to celebrate her birthday with her today. But she’s with Jesus, and so instead of sparklers and watermelon with her, let me take a minute to tell you about her.
She was strong. After staying home and raising a family that included a child with special needs, she went on to run a successful business that impacted an entire region. I still have people tell me about how much that simple Christian bookstore meant to them.
She was full of joy. That smile on her face was the real thing, but it wasn’t the only thing. She knew deep sorrow, and that smile wasn’t there to hide the pains of life, but rather because she knew a joy that is made more real by the pains of life.
She was relentless in her passion for people and for Jesus. She allowed her love for Jesus to fuel her love for people. She would give it all away, and when God gave her more, she’d do it again. She taught us how to serve, how to give, and how to love.
And her love? Her love was strong and fierce. She fought with and for everyone in this picture (and others who aren’t in it). She held us together, and held us accountable. She refused to allow us to walk away from family, and no matter what, she had our backs.
Today, the country that shares her birthday could learn a lot from the woman in the middle. We’re all different. We’ll all fight. And yet, we’re family, and family fights for each other even when it fights with each other.
“With” is a word of relationship, of commitment, of presence. Too many today are choosing to let other words define them. Words that are easier in the moment, but harmful to the family over time. Words like isolated, offended, separated. Words that keep us in our own echo chambers, and apart from those we need to learn from and grow with.
It’s time to have each other’s backs again. To America – and to the church in America – I make this plea: on the day when we celebrate an independence that came because brave and courageous people fought for it together, let’s remember that we’re in this together. We’re family, and family fights for family.
The woman in the middle taught me that.
