This week, America turns 250. The Semiquincentennial, now there's a mouthful. 🎆

We're celebrating some birthdays in our house, too. Dave turns another year older on July 3, and our daughter-in-love Emily celebrates on the Fourth itself. Honestly, it doesn't get much better than that.

And I will confess: I become an absolute child at a fireworks show. Wide eyes. Audible oohs and aahs. Zero dignity. Every single time.

There's something about the way they explode into color against a dark sky that just gets me.

What’s Been On My Heart

Maybe that image is sitting with you differently than it is with me right now.

Because sometimes life is the dark sky. And the sparkle everyone else sees doesn't reach where you're standing.

You showed up anyway. The outfit went on. The smile appeared at the right moments. You even made potato salad for the picnic. But the smile never reached your eyes. And somewhere in the middle of the celebration, you wanted to disappear.

Dear one, I see you.

More importantly, God sees you.

Not the performance. Not the smile you manufactured for the afternoon. You—the one who is exhausted, aching, quietly wondering how much longer you can keep this up.

King David knew what it was to grieve in the middle of everyone else's noise. And he wrote this:

"You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book." — Psalm 56:8 (NLT)

Your tears are not wasted, dramatic, or too much. Every single one is known to him.

You are not invisible in a crowd. God has not lost track of you in the chaos. And performing joy you don't yet feel? Not expected.

Healing doesn't run on a holiday schedule. Pain doesn't take a long weekend off. However, God never leaves you. Ever.

Something for You

You know those problems that are too big, too deep, too tangled for any human solution?

The ones you carry quietly because explaining them feels impossible. And part of you wonders if even God can get there.

This song is for you this week. Let it remind you that he's already there.

👉 "God Problems," listen here​

🙏🏻 A Prayer for You

Dear God, as we celebrate 250 years of this nation, thank you for the founding fathers who looked to your ways and principles as its foundation. Thank you for your faithfulness to this country and to Reader. When life feels chaotic and overwhelming, remind Reader that you are close. You promise your presence and your provision at all times, and that promise never expires. Open Reader's heart and mind to moments of genuine joy this week: unexpected ones, quiet ones, the kind that don't have to be performed. And protect Reader's heart, God. You know exactly what it needs. Amen.