Happy 4th of July! Today is Independence Day. The day when our forefathers said enough to oppression and opted to risk overthrowing what was known for an experiment that guaranteed freedom for all. (Sadly, still working on that). They declared their independence from a sovereign nation which determined what they did and said.

I think when we ask for independence we need to remember that independence demands responsibility. I believe our forefathers understood that concept. While they may have had differences of opinion about the logistics of the democratic republic experiment they demonstrated through actions the understanding that there are two sides of the idea of freedom.

In order to have independence, one has to be responsible. As a child grows and matures, he wants to begin doing things himself. That is natural and healthy. But part of the growing up process is realizing that one is not the center of the universe. A child also has to begin realizing that nothing happens in a vacuum: what one person decides to do affects another. His actions will cause an action for someone else. For example, I might want to drive my car wherever I want but I have to be responsible for following the rules of the road or there will be major accidents. I can have the freedom of driving but I have to balance my independence with responsibility.

It is through responsibility of thinking of others that the action of independence can occur. It is the responsibility of our leaders and our citizens to think. If not, chaos can ensue.

I believe our current leaders have forgotten that they are responsible for all the citizens in the country, not just the ones that give them adoration. What is the greater good beyond the vote? Is it only economic gain for the ones who have voted for you? The leaders have to remind themselves that they represent an independent and responsible nation. Just because they have been elected into an office by a certain majority of individuals, they have to be adult and think of all citizens as they make rules, laws and policies.

As citizens we are responsible for critical thinking of what is happening in our government. We cannot abdicate our responsibility of thinking. If we do, then those who are leaders can interfere and interject their thoughts, ideas, decisions on the non-thinking public. When we are not thinking responsibly, we abdicate our right to have an informed opinion. No longer are we free in our governing experiment. We are responsible when we listen, question, vote, discuss, argue, and agree to disagree. We are not responsible when we bully, shout, dismiss, or demand that the opposition do exactly as we say or else greater retribution.

I think Thomas Jefferson understood the tension of government and people with his above quote. Just like the tension between independence and responsibility we have to constantly adjust and reflect on the size of government and how much we expect the government to do versus the things that we can do.

So, Happy 4th of July. It is a wonderful time and a great celebration. While our great American experiment has its rocky moments, I wouldn't trade living here under its messy, difficult governance with any other place.

Somedays I feel like the little red hen.

Do you remember the story? A little red hen finds some seeds. When she asks her friends, "Who will help me plant these seeds?", "Not I" is the reply from the goose, duck, pig and cat. She continually asks them for help each step of the process of turning the seeds into grain and then into bread. "Not I" is still the response. Only when she is all done with her labors of planting the seeds, harvesting the grain, and finally baking the bread can she rest. She asks her friends, "Who will help me eat the bread?" When she gets a resounding, "I will", she declines their help telling them that since they didn't help during the preparation they will not be able to have the results from the labor.

The moral of the story is to reinforce a strong work ethic and remind that if one hasn't contributed to the product, then one shouldn't benefit from it. It also reiterates that if one doesn't receive any help, to soldier on and to be as independent as possible.

Strong work ethic and independence- excellent personality traits, Right?

Yes, we would say. Definitely the back bone of our society. Yet I wonder if it is the best course of response in situations? The thing is, it is exhausting being the little red hen. Not only does she physically do all the work but she is emotionally looking, tallying and keeping track of who is helping her along the way.

Of course there is some righteous indignation on the hen's part and rightly so. The story speaks to our sense of fairness and deserved-ness. If you do not put in the time you cannot receive a reward. Certainly that is true in disciplining oneself - whether one is an athlete or musician.

And, there is a time constraint in her endeavor. Seeds have to be planted and harvested at certain times of the year. If one is to have bread in the fall, the seeds have to grow in the spring. If she sat around waiting for the help, she would never get the project off the ground.

Much as I identify with the little red hen I don't really like her attitude. She seems standoffish and judgmental. Almost as if she is already going into the endeavor with the expectation that no one will help her and she goes through the motion of asking for help just to prove her point. Not very attractive.

At times like these I am reminded of Psalm 22:11- "Be not far from me, for trouble is near and there is none to help". The psalmist starts out with telling God exactly how he feels- alone, forsaken, full of self-pity, feeling totally washed out and used up, exhausted with no one to help him. As he cries out to God and has an honest discussion with Him, the psalmist finally comes to the conclusion that God is the one who listens and helps. Psalm 22: 24- "For He has not despised or abhorred the affliction of the afflicted; and He has not hid his face from him, but has heard, when he cried to Him. " God knows what the psalmist is experiencing and He cares. He hears. He sees and He provides.

When I feel like the little red hen, I need to lift my eyes beyond myself and the situation and be thankful; for the seeds, for the potential of help, for the growth of the seeds and for the bread and nourishment that will be provided.

What about you? Ever identify with the little red hen? Or do you more identify with the psalmist? How do you handle it when you feel that there is no one to help? What is your attitude? Do you effortlessly handle the situation with grace? Do you rely on God's strength to get through regardless of help from others? Do you wish you could?

I know that I am trying. I think more than a strong work ethic and independence, I am trying to cultivate a continual grateful attitude and a complete dependency on God.