As we mark our nation’s 250th anniversary this year, we encourage you to read the founding documents and other key texts, and to think about the gift that is this nation.

Read through the Declaration of Independence and see the injustices and lack of rights that led to the creation of this country. Then read through the Constitution and Bill of Rights. See how they are designed to prevent such abuses. 

These documents create a system of three branches of government (Executive, Legislative, and Judicial) that check and balance each other, and these documents speak to the truth of rights we possess as human beings. The United States government is not perfect and never will be, because people are not perfect. But this creation from over 200 years ago still works, and the Bill of Rights enshrines rights that stand between us and the power of the government.

Finally, read the Gettysburg Address as a midpoint reflection on the importance of each generation’s work to defend and value the rights and protections we enjoy. Steep for a while in President Lincoln’s words and see how blessed we are. We can become so used to the idea of government of the people, by the people, for the people, that we forget that such a government is not a given. This is something to value, to cherish, to fight for every day. 

Our country has plenty of problems, but we have a great gift in her. After 250 years, she is still worth fighting for, because we the people are worth fighting for.