​If a group of hungry soldiers, barefoot in winter, with rags for clothes could press on through the snow, wind, and rain to win a victory for George Washington … then I too can withstand the storm.

If a nation, deeply divided North vs South, family against family, industries, economies and lives hanging in the balance … I can press on amongst the tension.

If a people in a new land, braved standing up to a tyrant king across the ocean because they foresaw the potential of a completely free nation, I can press on among the government overreach.

If a woman could be strategic to be in the right place, on the right bus, in the right time, to overturn a massive mark on our society where all Americans could be free, I can press on to take a stand as well.

If men and women pressed through the western frontier, encountered uncertainties, faced down odds, lost spouses, held dying children, had their only livelihood destroyed in a storm, yet happily lived in mud huts with the hope of a better tomorrow - I too can endure hardship to make a better future.

My nation’s history demands that I not surrender, that I not acquiesce, that I not grow apathetic or despondent. My nation’s history paints a picture of what warriors look like, of what grit in America means, and why what we have demands we continue to press on.

As we transition into another chapter of America, my heart grieves. Not just because “my candidate lost” but I recognize what the opposition’s win could mean for the days ahead. I recognize their danger before they do and it saddens me.

In addition, my heart is sorrowful for any fellow Republicans that did not stand up for the man who is pro-life and instead allowed a man and a party who champions death in the womb to win. They demonstrated to me what really matters to them: they care more about the nice words and polite tones, than they do about the babies hanging on for life in their mama’s wombs. Give me a mean man who stands for truth any day over a nice one who waffles and waves in the wind. Their weak actions will cause more warriors to rise.  And those who supported the wrong man will wish they could go back and choose again.

When I look at this flag, or the cemeteries marked with heroes sacrifice, or the friends who still wear the uniform, and the families who still pray for their safe return: I know that America is more than just an election. It is more than just a moment in time. It is more than something that will crumble under heat and pressure. I despise the voices that say “all is lost and America is done.” No, my friend. This is the moment we do our finest work: it is now our time to shine.

I do pity the liberals: they have played their cards, showed their hands, and there is no father place they can grovel to for the sake of power and control. They are not showing just their playbooks, but a glimpse at their souls. For that I weep. They were meant, by God, to do so much more than this.

I also pity the men and women who, whether in churches, or halls of Congress, or businesses, or homes have chosen their “side” — they have shown their colors. They have identified what they truly believe, who they truly are, and their lack of integrity has been exposed. I am grieved.

No, Trump is not my Savior. America is not my god. The Republican Party is not my safe haven. And yes, I’m a grown up. I can handle a loss. I’ve done it before and I’ll do it again.

And yet I have great hope.

What you are about to see before you in the days, weeks, and months ahead - is far from a defeated American people. But you are about to witness the true, American grit. You are about to experience the finest America has to offer.

The true Americans have been busy building their businesses, tending to their homes, caring for their own. They had hoped that government would resolve itself. Some had been misled, others deceived, and some just didn’t care to tune in. But they are tuned in now.

And I smile: the liberals have no idea what kind of defeat is coming their way. Because with the spirit of the band of brothers who fought with George Washington, with the grit of the patriot who explored the wild frontier, with the dedication of the Paul Reveres who saw the danger and sounded the alarm that the opposition was coming, the American patriot spirit is rising and it is rising in full force. I pity anyone who gets in the way.

America is not “Trump’s domain.” It is my domain. It is my home. It is the land my grandpas’ fought to defend. It is the land my father served so valiantly in Vietnam. I was born here and I will die here. It is my America — and I will not back down or quit.

It is the land of the free, and the home of the brave. It has never been about one policy or one man. It’s about a spirit. It’s about a spirit that says, life has dignity at every stage, individual freedom is a treasure, personal responsibility is an honor, family structures are fragile and worthy of defense, freedom of conscience and religion and virtue is a must, freedom of speech a holy grail.

We have seen in 2020 what really matters to us. We have been reminded of why freedom counts, of why worshipping with one another is important, of why individual decisions for the care of our loved ones is an honor, the value of our time, that community is needed, the significance of being able to invest your dollar in the restaurant or business of your choice, and that technology isn’t enough.


We have been reminded of what matters. We see with clearer eyes, and softer hearts. We have had to humble ourselves, after being humbled. We have had to admit we don’t know it all. We have had to be reminded government had become too big… and that we do truly need one another in our community.

To the liberals who planned the schemes, and the Republicans who played to their hand, to the progressives who sowed your money, and the media who bantered their plans, to big tech who belittle your original purpose and every industry that snubbed truth and freedom for power and control  - I say thank you.

Thank you for showing us your best. Thank you for playing your worst. Thank you for pressing us and stretching us and refining us.

We are better for it. And today we stand united.

Today we stand tall. We know - a better future is coming. Because American Patriots are rising.

To the opposition that thinks your “one world order” now works - and that the Democrats are in control, I smile. I smile huge smiles. Because you have no idea what is coming. You have planned in the darkness and you have been found wanting.

We are stepping in the light and truth is on our side, God is on our side, and you should be very concerned.

In the spirit of the World War II heroes that ran up the hill in Normandy, the women who doned their manufacturing gear to make planes for the battle, the minds that created car industries, developed the trains, launched the first airplanes and sent us to space: we will not surrender.

These are our ancestors. These are our freedom fighters. Their blood runs in our DNA.

So no, America, I do not give up on you today. This is just a chapter of our story. Together, we move forward in great hope and great resolve, with anticipation, peace, and confidence.

American patriots are rising.

We won’t give up on you!

- Amy Hawkins
amy@generationstrategies.com

There is often a roadblock between someone sending the message of Christ’s love and someone receiving that message.

At times it is because of the human heart of the recipient. At other times, I believe, it is in part due to the person or persons doing the delivery of the message. Communication delivery is done through the form of words, actions, or non-verbal communication (i.e. what is perceived communication, which can sometimes be the most dangerous). I grieve that Christians delay the process of men and women, boys and girls finding the truth of Jesus - because of our poor delivery of the message. 

I do believe that part of the reason Believers have found such great backlash in the marketplace is due to bad communication.

We have delivered a verbal message that has: 

• Not been reflected in our actions, therefore, it appears we lack integrity
• Not been translated appropriately to the culture we want to reach

Our lack of understanding of good communication has in turn put up roadblocks for us to make inroads into the culture and it has hurt our efforts. But it can definitely be improved. 

We need to observe and explore,

• How do people perceive our messages, as individuals, as a ministry, as a business?
• What messages are people picking up from how we handle ourselves in conflicts, or interactions, online or in-person? 
• Where is there a disconnect between what I intend, when I communicate, and how people receive the message? 
• Does what I communicate through verbal and non-verbal reflect the heart of the King? 
• Do my words reflect my actions and vice versa? 
• Am I speaking (or living) in a way that the culture I want to reach understands?
• Does my message bring condemnation and judgment with no redemption, or does it speak the truth with grace and strength and suggest ways for resolution? 

These questions to consider are just the tip of the iceberg. The message of Christianity can stand on its own two feet: it should never be watered down no matter who we are speaking to about the message. But how we deliver it, when we deliver it can make all the difference.
 

Last night, I was reviewing some scriptures, and this verse brought back some concepts already stewing in my heart, 

Matthew 5:43-45, “You have heard that it was said, ‘Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven.” 

There is lots of angst right now with Governors and Mayors who are putting a clampdown on Churches reopening, or hampering freedoms all in the guise of “protection.” As someone who has worked in politics, I know there are many good men and women on the inside (despite what you may believe) but I am not here to make the case on whether their governing decisions are justified or not. I am here to ask the following question. ​

You are normal if you have a life moment that you wish you could “do over”. What is abnormal is that the wish is granted and whole families, schools, industries, towns, states and nations have the opportunity to recalibrate. 

Our current culture, during the season of COVID19, is like being in the middle of a real life scene where everything is suddenly frozen in place. Except you. You strangely look at your moving hands and limbs and feel the breath in your lungs and you curiously look about: “Everyone else is frozen but I am moving.” You realize you have a chance to reposition yourself before everything comes back to life. You can move to the front of the line, you can change your position on the playing board, you can stay where you are, or you can decide, I don’t even want to be in this part of the story at all. 

In this season of “shut down”, all of us are given the immense privilege to ask ourselves these questions: 

Who is it that we want to be when we come out of this season? What priorities do we want to have when things resume some level of normalcy? How do we want to spend our time in the future? 

Even if it feels like it, this season of “freeze” really won’t last for forever. Before we know it we will be back on the proverbial conveyor belt of life. We may quickly lose track of what this season is teaching us unless we make intentional plans now to carry its lessons and crystalized truths forward with us.

A CHANCE TO GO DEEPER
I am by nature an introvert. I thrive off of alone time, quiet time, and reflective time. I love people but too much people and they exhaust me (I know, I have some people fooled as I perform really well as an extrovert). For me this shut in season, while it has caused some inconvenience and sacrifice, has had its own set of blessings.

For one, it is presenting me with the moment to decide, “what is really really really important for me in the future?” What causes do I want to focus on, what clients do I want to sign with, who are the people in my life that really matter and what are the efforts around me that should take my time and what things should I forget? What personal habits am I frustrated with and therefore can put a stop to? What things am I cherishing in this “shut down time” that I want to carry with me into the future? 

To me, the value of the little things are crystalized: never have I so badly wanted to hug a cousin as I do in this social-distancing season. I now strangely value the ability to shake someone’s hand, or respect the opportunity to even be in a busy crowd. The significance of the human to human interaction with family - let alone strangers - is becoming real. The sanctity of the small community and going back to the basics has never been more beautiful (at least for some of us).


As a millennial I have this feeling (I know, feelings are not truth but just roll with it) that we are all being given a chance to reevaluate, thinking deeper rather than broader. Let me explain. 

WHAT'S UP WITH OUR WORLD
The western world culture is a “here and now” society: we expect a request to be granted in a snap, our attention spans are shorter than the 7 second span of a goldfish, and at times our depth of contextual insight is limited. We do not understand history in its juxtaposition to today, and for many we are simply surviving hour by hour let alone making plans for the next 20 years. These are not necessarily criticisms but statements of reality.

We, at times, seem to be more focused on quantity rather than quality or appearance and perception rather than integrity and character. 

Society says, run as fast as you can, catch the headlines, know the most amount of people, visit the most cities, rush in sand rush out of the stories, do as many things in a day as you can (and if you don’t get enough done, feel guilty about it by the end of the day) move fast, juggle more, wear more hats, and do more things. Don’t worry about going deep but go broad, accomplish more. Sound familiar?  I’m very guilty of this.

We don’t encourage deep personal reflection, and to know others on a deep level is foreign, as well. We suggest that if we don’t like someone - we should stay away instead of being committed to the fellow human for - well, humanity’s sake. We look to people as to what they can do for me vs what I can offer them. We have become a shallow society vs one of depth committed to longevity. 

Much of my generation loves to travel (as do I!!). Younger people are eager to “move to a different town” as soon as they can, to run away from the old and the normal of growing up, to “go off to college” and not always return. To some extent, we like that we are non-committal, hesitant to marry, delaying having children, and inconvenienced if we are asked to do a structured 9-5 job. We like living “footloose and fancy-free”, having fun, exploring, and going at our own pace. Some of these preferences have value - but too much in one direction for many things and it can be dangerous.

One of the things I'm becoming more keenly aware of (thanks to this season of shut down): what if we are devaluing some of the most important things in our hurry to be everywhere and any place, free, and without strings attached? What if we have been skimming the surface without committing ourselves to planting the roots deep in one place, which would contribute towards sustainability, security, and durability?

By being everywhere at once, how much are we really anywhere? We pop in and out of experiences, making short lived momentary friends. We add more social media followers and online friends but how deeply are we truly known and so - in essence - we do life alone. 

What if one of the things we are called to value about this moment is what is around us. Who is near us. What do I have in front of me that I can value. Who are those around me that can have what I can offer, and in essence increasing their value of life quality vs just focusing on my ability to rise and survive. 

How many people have you heard from this COVID19 adventure who have said, “neighbors are out talking to neighbors again!” We are “having” to get to know the people that live down the street. Why? Because we have time, or we have a need, or we want to help. What if, in many ways, this shutdown is causing us to wake up to how we are supposed to be as individuals, families, societies, and communities? Yet the question remains, what choices will we make now as to how we will live differently when everything “goes back to normal”.

WHAT THE OLDER GENERATION DID 
I’m a Genealogist nut. I love piecing together the family tree, and asking questions and discovering new names and details. 

Many of my family left journals and old letters behind. We have real life stories from the 1800’s and 1900’s of family members who have gone before us. They didn’t have the internet but they did have the neighbor available to help them haul milk; they didn’t have social media but they did celebrate the neighbor who came by to sit and visit; they didn’t have endless tv shows but they did have community dances. They were there to help one another with crops, barn raisings, sick family members, hostessing, sewing a dress, hanging curtains.  They knew each other. They were accepted. Supported. They were in and out of one another’s homes. They were in community. They suffered because times were hard - but yet “somehow” they really thrived. 

My dad was just telling me, he remembers very clearly when televisions in homes became a big deal. He said his family worked so hard throughout the week, but one evening they would head for town. The kids would go to the movie and the parents would get groceries and stand around talking to community members. But he said once personal family tvs came about, things changed. People didn’t have a need to be out and about, looking for entertainment, a break from the mundane and a desire to see friends or check in on the latest town happenings. Thus the community started to crumble. 

No, I'm not saying, throw out your TV, or go back to sewing your own clothes, or even stay cooped up and never travel. I’m challenging all of us to recognize this season in our lives is rare, unique and it won’t come again. And it is an opportunity for us to see “hmmm, what really matters to me, truly, and what am I going to do to make it a priority in my future?” Because yes, our choices impact our future.  

What are the things we want to take with us, to do differently, and how do we want to live differently? I suggest America specifically is being invited to return to our roots: to make our families a number one priority. It matters more the time you spend together than the time you spend on the road to sporting events or dance recitals. It is opening our eyes to the value of the neighbor. We are supposed to look out for one another, support one another, fellowship with one another. And so what if you can make all the money in the world but have no one to spend life with? Isn’t there more to our lives than what we can achieve, conquer, and acquire? 

WE CAN REDEEM THE SEASON
Stories are endless of the amazing Pioneers, frontiersmen and women, innovators, hard working every day Americans, who formed the foundation of our nation. They are the ones who worked from sunup to sun down, taught us work ethic, set the example for what was honor and what was irresponsibility. They showed us what loving a neighbor looked like. They sent their sons off to war, and raised their women to be strong and independent. There was a grit that existed in the older American breed that in many places does not exist today. 

Our current crisis is that we cannot get our hair colored as normal or that we can’t hit the golf course. In older years, the crisis for them was if the weather destroyed the crops, or the fire burned down the barn or the mother died from childbirth. They didn’t usually give in when marriage got tough. They didn’t abandon the needy family member but gave them a trailer on their property. They didn’t look the other way when someone did something disgraceful but loved them through it.

Thankfully much of what they dealt with is foreign to us today but the strength of character, the focus on what mattered - livelihood, love of country, love of family, commitment to one another, having roots (a place where you belong), having a community who knew you and valued you - there is something that ran deep. We have the chance to recommit to those values - if they really matter to us. I know they do to me. 

I think we are capable of the same kind of commitment and grit the older Americans have demonstrated for us. I believe that we are meant to have community, to be known, supported, and have people to love. I think that the “new” America (of the future) can be better than how we entered this shut down. 

We have a gift: an opportunity for a reset. A chance to do over, to readjust our place on the game board, to change the rules of engagement, to recalibrate to a different north and to “start over.” But the responsibility is on you and me as to what we will choose now as to what really matters. Our nation has become wobbly, self-focused, and isolated. But this is the moment when communities can rebuild, when families can recommit and when individuals can realize that what really matters is not what’s out there but what’s right here.

It’s highly likely we will never be given this chance for a do-over again. But may future generations look back on us and say, this particular reset in America was a gift. It made all the difference. 

Hang in there. Better days are yet ahead. 

• AJH 

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