I am definitely showing my age, but I remember vividly being in the fifth grade and celebrating our nation’s Bicentennial back in 1976. At the time, I didn’t fully grasp the magnitude of the milestone, but I remember the week-long celebration at the end of the school year. There was a massive festival and a parade down Dixie Highway in Northern Kentucky as we kicked off the summer and the 200th birthday of our nation.
I remember every grade level had to represent a specific period in history by dressing in costume. Don’t ask me why, but I was Snow White. Please, don’t judge. I hated dressing up, and it was likely the only wig my mom could find!
Now, as our nation prepares to celebrate its 250th anniversary this July, I find myself wondering: what will our children remember about this moment long after we are gone? I’m hoping it’s more than just a random costume or a pumped up parade. As parents and grandparents, I want us to educate the next generation and help them appreciate the legacy of freedom we have been blessed to inherit.
Let’s take the time to honor the memory of our Founding Fathers and the Christian principles upon which this nation was built. Psalm 33:12 reminds us, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord”. John Adams once noted that “the general principles upon which the Fathers achieved independence were the general principles of Christianity”. In the Declaration of Independence, they explicitly acknowledged our Creator, stating, “We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights…” George Washington echoed this, saying, “It is impossible to rightly govern the world without God and the Bible.”
These truths sound a lot like the mission and vision of Rock Solid Families. For the past eight years, we have helped our clients build their lives on something strong and unshakeable. As we prepare for our nation’s 250th celebration, here are four foundational truths we must pass on to the next generation:
Authority in the Home. Just as our Founding Fathers wrote a Constitution to govern our nation and establish order, parents must do the same at home. Mom and Dad, your children need to see healthy authority and leadership. They need to be taught that we “mean what we say and say what we mean.” Jesus modeled the perfect balance of grace and truth; we should strive to do the same.
Freedom Isn’t Free. Our nation was built on the sacrifice of many. It is vital that we teach our children both the historical and spiritual history of liberty. Let’s teach them to honor and appreciate the sacrifices made on their behalf, recognizing that true freedom is a gift to be stewarded not just a right to be claimed.
The Importance of Commitment. The final line of the Declaration of Independence says, “We mutually pledge to each other our lives, our fortunes, and our sacred honor.” In a world where people break promises and walk away when things get tough, we must teach our children the value of their word. Our Founding Fathers were "all in," refusing to compromise their beliefs regardless of the cost. Can we say the same for our own commitments today?
All Life Has Value. The Declaration reminds us that we are created equal and endowed by our Creator with rights. Our worth and value does not come from our bank accounts or the color of our skin; it comes from the One who knit us together in our mother’s womb. (Psalm 139:13). When a child understands they are made in the image of God, their foundation becomes unshakeable.
As we celebrate our 250th year, let’s look beyond the fireworks to the foundation. Just as our Founders knew a nation is only as strong as its values and principles, we believe a nation is only as strong as its families.
History is watching, and our children are listening. Let’s continue a legacy that isn't built on the shifting sands of today’s culture, but on the firm foundation of Jesus Christ. Let’s lead our families with the same "sacred honor" that birthed this nation, ensuring that 250 years from now, the foundations we lay today are still standing strong.
Rock Solid Families is a faith based coaching organization with offices in Lawrenceburg and St. Leon, IN