HAPPY BIRTHDAY, AMERICA! What Would Those Old Men See Now?Reflections on Freedom This 4th of July

Two hundred and forty-eight years ago, a group of brave men put ink to parchment and changed the course of human history. With quills in hand and faith in their hearts, the Founding Fathers signed the Declaration of Independence, declaring to the world that America would be a land where freedom, justice, and truth would reign. This July 4th, as fireworks light up our skies and flags ripple in the summer breeze, many of us find ourselves asking a sobering question:

If those same men could look upon America today, what would they see?

Would they see the nation they risked everything to birth?

As a woman of faith and a proud daughter of this great country, it is my duty to remember.

I feel it is all our duty. And not just remembering with nostalgia, but with resolve. This year, as we spread red, white, and blue across our porches and picnic tables, we must also look squarely at the state of our nation and our world.

A Nation Under Fire, A World in Crisis

The challenges we face today are unlike anything we have seen in recent memory. Our southern border remains in a state of humanitarian and political crisis, straining our resources and dividing our communities. But surely, we all understand the desire for a better life. Yes, not all who cross have that intention, but over half who cross do. When the laws of becoming a naturalized citizen were written, the writers most definitely considered that most people would be fleeing horrific situations in search of greener pastures. The war between Russia and Ukraine grinds on, reshaping European security and echoing the old drums of global war. And most recently, tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated, dragging the fragile Middle East further into darkness.

All the while, here at home, America feels more polarized than ever. Our own neighbors now live in different realities, divided not just by opinion, but by entire worldviews. Civil discourse is rare. Common ground is rarer still.

It’s enough to make even the most patriotic heart feel heavy.

And Yet, There Is Hope.

Because while the world rages, the heart of the American spirit still beats strong. You can hear it in the pledge of allegiance recited in school gyms. You can see it in the small-town parades and the families bowing their heads before a grilled meal. You can feel it when you hear “God Bless America” and find yourself singing along through tears.

We are not lost. Not yet. But we are at a crossroads. And this moment calls not just for celebration, but for remembrance and recommitment.

What Would the Founding Fathers Say?

They were men, yes. Flawed and finite. But they were also visionaries, burdened with a calling. They believed in something beyond themselves. And they rooted that belief not just in liberty, but in divine providence. The Declaration of Independence refers to “Nature’s God” and the “The Creator” who endowed us with rights. These were not empty words — they were the foundation.

Were they alive today, I believe they would weep at the divisions and corruption. They would grieve the loss of reverence for God (even while firmly believing and demanding the separation of Church and State, as I also do), family, and neighbor. But I also believe they would see the seeds of hope in women like you and me.

Mothers who teach their children truths. Daughters who pray for this country on their knees. Sisters in Christ who extend grace and stand for justice. Women who vote with wisdom, serve their communities, and stand unwavering on God’s Word.

Liberty and Responsibility Go Hand-in-Hand

Freedom isn’t a feeling. It’s not just fireworks and an extra day off work. Freedom is a responsibility. And it’s ours to carry.

As American women, many of us are the backbone of our communities. We hold up households, churches, classrooms, places of businesses, and volunteer organizations. We know the weight of legacy. We are the torchbearers.

This year let’s not merely wave the flag. Let’s be what the flag represents: brave, faithful, and free. Let us pray boldly for our leaders, even when we disagree with them. Let us model unity in our homes and speak truth in love in our neighborhoods. Let us teach our children what it means to be American—not entitled, but entrusted.

A Prayer for America at 248

As we move into the 249th year of this great experiment in liberty, I offer this prayer:

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for the blessing of living in this land. For the brave men and women who have fought for her freedom. For the mothers and grandmothers who have prayed for us through war and peace. Forgive us, Lord, for where we have strayed. For the pride, the stubbornness, the angriness, the apathy, and the forgetting.

We ask for healing at our borders, wisdom in our courts, courage in our communities, and truth in our homes. Bring unity where there is division, light where there is darkness, and revival where there is slumber. And Lord, may we, Your daughters, be found faithful. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

In Closing: A Charge to Remember and Rise

This Fourth of July, let us gather not only for hot dogs and sparklers, but for a rekindling of what it means to be an American woman of faith. Let us speak of liberty, not with pride alone, but with prayerful purpose.

Let the memory of 1776 not grow dim in the glow of modern chaos. Instead, let it burn brighter because we choose to carry the light forward.

What would they see now, those Founding Fathers?

I hope they will see us.

Standing firm.

Praying boldly.

Living freely.

And believing, still, in the promise of America.

Thank you for your time. Be strong. Be brave.

And, let everything you do be done in love.

Happy Independence Day.