I was in seventh grade, cruising the mall on a Saturday morning with nothing better to do. Some random Hallmark-type store had a roller rack of bumper stickers and I read through each one even though I was at least four years away from being able to drive.
One of my favorites said:
“Never explain yourself. Your friends don’t need it and your enemies won’t believe you anyway.”
I’ve never forgotten that little tidbit of wisdom even though I didn’t plunk down my $1.75 that morning for the sticker. But man, over the last 30 years I’ve repeated that one to myself HUNDREDS OF TIMES.
You see, growing up isn’t easy. And becoming who God destined us to be is even more challenging. Mostly because we spend far to much of our young adult life trying to fit into someone’s presupposed mold of conformity. Even as a kid I always felt like a square peg trying to fit into a round mold…until one day solid truth in the form of a bumper sticker smacked me right between the eyes and I decided to stop apologizing for who I am or what I believed.
I’m a redneck American from a tiny town outside Texas. I believe with all my heart in the solid truths I learned from Pastor Moore at First Baptist of Porter where my nanny took me regularly to church and I danced in my petticoated organza dress during the hymns (complete with a jingle bell so she could find me after service was over). My father taught me that a solid day’s work in the fields, in the factory, or on the street earned by the sweat of our brows is the best answer to an anxiety filled sleepless night. I know that my country is an amazing land of boundless opportunity if we will just put our shoulder to the grind and get about the business of making a living and a life for those we love. And I believe that a strong America is beyond a shadow of a doubt the best hope this world has against the face of tyranny and oppression.
So what can I do with those beliefs? How should they shape what I do?
Pray and fight and work and trust and sweat and live and believe and teach and encourage and help equip every family that will dare to believe with me.
Because the FAMILY is the strongest single unit of government. Strong families are the foundation of a strong America. It’s that simple.
[bctt tweet=”Strong families are the foundation of a strong America. “]
Wanna change the country? Pour into your family and let’s raise some nation-changers. Wanna spread the Gospel? Speak hopefully over your children and when your neighbors ask the reason for your joy we can point them to Jesus.
But if someone calls us crazy, let’s not apologize or explain ourselves. Our friends don’t need it and enemies won’t believe us anyway.
Marsha says
Great read and yes that has always been my favorite saying but I think I saw it in Spencers back in the 70’s.
Lyette Reback says
And you have been a great friend that I have never had to explain anything to.
Lyette Reback says
Too funny Marsha! xoxox
Kelly says
Awesome. I wish I had seen that bumper sticker years ago! Hard lesson I’ve recently learned and it’s great to have this reminder. It’s so easy for me to get wrapped up in how my actions/ choices (or my family’s) look to others when I know beyond a shadow of doubt that I only need to be focused on Jesus and my husband.
Learning this has also given me way more grace for families around me too.
Lyette Reback says
Hang in there Kelly! He will continue to grow you through it! xoxo