Rejecting Kings, Celebrating Days

Or, When Big Government Meets Big Birthdays

I only learned Flag Day was a thing when the maternity ward nurse walked into my room—21-years ago—and said, “How nice that your daughter was born on Flag Day.”

Huh.

I only learned my daughter’s birthday was also Donald Trump’s birthday when he was first elected. Honestly, one of the only nice things I can say about Trump is that he was born on a good day.

And I only learned that they both shared a birthday with the US Army this year—when the $30+ million dollar military parade was announced.

If someone would’ve told me 21 years ago that all these things would come together this way —that Donald Trump, the twice-elected tyrannical president, would be celebrating the army’s birthday with a Stalin-esque military parade while masked, chicken-**** ICE agents disappeared people off the streets and the US Marines were deployed to stand against US citizens while millions were at risk of losing health coverage and cancer research funds were being obliterated and life-saving vaccines discredited, while court-orders were being ignored, while senators were being tackled for asking a question of a dog-shooting cabinet member, and that “pro-life” people who claim to love Jesus and freedom and this country support all this—well, I’d never have believed you.* 

I would have thought you were stealing stories of my family’s experience in Communist Cuba.

But alas, here we are. 

Not the nation I’d have hoped for while holding my newborn on her first Flag Day. 

And yet, as I’ve watched the list of planned protests grow for this Saturday, as No Kings Day has become a thing, my hope has steadily risen—as has my joy of having these things collide on her twenty-second Flag Day.

After all, what better way to mark your entrance into full adulthood than to see millions protesting the tyranny that currently governs our nation, to see the caring populace take to the streets and demand NO MORE to weak, would-be kings and those who worship him. 

What better way than to be reminded that though there is so much wrong with this country—that racism now defines the Republican Party, that fear and hatred of others drives our policies—there is also so much good.

You can see the good in the people willing to risk their safety and freedom, their well-being and livelihoods (Big MAGA is watching after all) to step out, speak up, and march against tyranny and injustice for the sake of others. 

In a time when we have so much to be ashamed of as Americans, nothing makes me prouder than to see this. 

As I do want to celebrate my amazing daughter well tomorrow on her 21st birthday (Trump has already ruined enough—no need for him to get this too), I’m not sure I’ll make it to a No Kings rally (though I will try). Either way, I will be rallying in spirit—cheering on the fight. 

Lord knows how long we’ll have this right.

I hope and pray that in another 21 years, this season of Big Government, of would-be kings and dictators, of tyranny, of animosity toward immigrants and people of color is all just a wretched memory. I firmly believe in the God who redeems and restores—and who can take this mess, who can touch hearts, who can redeem all this evil for good. 

My belief in a resurrected Jesus tells me that all this hell can be defeated—trumped, you might say—and made new. Better. 

In the meantime, may God have mercy on us all—and keep the ralliers safe and at peace.

And happy birthday to all who celebrate. 

*And if you’d have told me that the denomination my Flag Day baby would be baptized in two months later would one day say we were bound for hell because we affirm gay marriage, well, I’d never have believed that either!