I took a few days off because I was with family this past weekend. Today, on July 4, we celebrate America's beginnings. We've come so far. We began as a rebellious colony and grew into a world power.
That's how I feel about my family, too (okay, not the world power part, but you get the idea!). I was humbled to hear stories from my grandparents as we celebrated their birthdays and all they've endured, sacrificed, and accomplished in their lives. They took unbelievable risks and made countless sacrifices of every size to bring my family to the point we are today: in America, educated, employed (well, soon I will be), and with so many opportunities (careers, traveling, higher education, and so much more).
I look back on where we came from as a family, and I'm humbled. I look back on where we came from as a country, and I'm humbled.
I look at these two stories, and I look at myself, and I am comforted. The Lord is faithful. Great risks and great sacrifices make for great living. Rich experiences, unshakeable convictions, deep relationships, and a strong character. Adventure, hearts full, hearts broken, and hearts mended. Great in its depth without regard to its breadth; great in capacity for changing the one living the story and in an unstoppable aftereffect, those around her; great in its quality, whatever the quantity.
That is the kind of person I want to be, and that is the kind of life I'm encouraged to lead.
Happy Fourth of July. To great risks and great sacrifices.