What a great prompt for this week as we celebrate the Fourth of July. My legacy as an American began in the 1700s’ when Thomas Ballard landed in Virginia. Since then, my family served in the American Revolution, War of 1812, Civil War, WW1, WW2, the Korean War, and many other family members who served in the military. My family has worked this land as farmers, were traveling pastors, area magistrates, doctors, nurses, business men/women, general laborers; and suffered through wars, death, loss, depression, and more.

I grew up listening to my mom’s cotton-picking stories. My family donated land for educational purposes; my great-grandfather would mill corn for free so that every family, white and black, would have food for the winter. Understanding the freedom I think I deserve was built by men and women long before I existed.

Understanding what I think I deserve begins with understanding my history and the twisted version. For example, the misuse of Thomas Jefferson’s letter about the separation of church and state was misapplied, the horror of Roe vs Wade and the death of millions of innocence babies. It means understanding the difference between being a Constitutionalist vs. a progressive.

So, what do I deserve? Nothing. But I enjoy what my family has given, sacrifice, and built. I enjoy what other families have given, sacrificed, and made. God has given us as Americans a type of government that never existed before.

God moves hearts to preserve and maintain as best we can a nation that offers opportunities to those who are willing to work for it, even in a flawed system. We work and trust God for his blessings.

The good in anything takes time to seek, time to sit still and think, time to find friends who will support you, time to create, and time to dedicate yourself to serving God first.