Dependence Day

Today is the Fourth of July, America's Independence Day. As the daughter and granddaughter of Air Force officers, I am a patriotic sort. My blood boils if there isn't silence when the National Anthem is played. I glare at the backs of teenage boys' heads if they don't remove their hats when I hear "O say, can you see." Respect and support for our country is a huge part of who I am. And when my mother and I took a summer vacation to England some years ago, I wanted to be sure we'd be back in the States on the Fourth of July; it seemed wrong to be in England on such an American holiday!

And while I honor our nation's past and pray that we continue to work against injustice, today I'm not thinking about independence. I'm thinking about dependence. As human beings--and especially as Americans, I think--the idea of dependence is distasteful. To be dependent upon someone or something is a sign of weakness. Or is it? Depends on whom it is, doesn't it?

Recently, I have begun to understand what dependence on God really means. I'm nowhere close to achieving it, but I'm beginning to understand what it means and how I can get there. The more I read, the more I listen to our pastor's sermons, and the more I mull over what I've heard in the past, the more I see that it all begins with having some time with God. Just you and God. And you have to be completely open with Him; you can't be tentative and guarded in your meetings with Him. It's pretty pointless anyway, seeing as that He made you and knows what you're thinking. As I see it, there are 3 main components of a good chat with God: prayer, Bible reading, and listening. You've got to talk to God, then You've got to see what He's been saying, and then you've got to LISTEN. What are you listening for? What God wants YOU to hear. Hmmmm...three components, three persons of God--the Father, the Son, the Spirit...coincidence? Doubt it. Interesting. You talk to Jesus, who's been here on this earth, in all its misery and frustration, so He gets it. You go to the Father for advice, encouragement, and motivation, and He'll give you what you need, just like a dad should. And then the Spirit.... The Spirit here means "breath," originally. So after you consult with the Son and the Father, the Spirit breathes in your ear what you need to hear and gives you the spirit to follow it. I'm sure I've heard sermons or read books that have explained all this before, but isn't "discovery learning" best? Sometimes you have to come to an understanding on your own.

I have a pretty strong background in church and religion. I don't remember not going to church, growing up. While this is good, it isn't enough. Once a foundation is built, it doesn't mean the building is finished; it's only just begun. I have to continue the work that my parents, grandparents, and teachers began and build my own house of worship for God and me. This idea of building a strong foundation on God is becoming more and more urgent to me by the day. My daughter is 19 months old. While I'm thankful for Nick Jr. and the Fresh Beat Band (Google it, if you're that curious), I want her to sing and dance to songs about God. I want her to not only be able to tell me that the sound a lion makes is "AHHHHHH!!!" (it's adorable, by the way), but also tell me that God made lions and that He even closed their mouths when Daniel needed protection. And as she grows up, she'll learn on her own how the story of "Daniel in the lions' den" applies to her life. Deuteronomy 11 says, "Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds.... Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up" (v. 18a, 19).

So how can I be a good enough and wise enough mother to instill this in my child? How am I going to do or be anything I want to do or be? The only answer I have is to depend on God. And that starts with having regular conversations with Him, reading His advice book, and listening for what you personally need to hear. And really, quite frankly, just knowing that you don't have all the answers and are in need of guidance every step of the way. And that's dependence. At least as I see it. :)

Happy Dependence Day! Have another one tomorrow!