If you’re like me, you love this country. Yet on this July 4th—which is also the 250th anniversary of our nation—it can be hard to express such love. Such is the nature of love, right? In all parts of our lives, love is often filled not only with joy, but with ambivalence, conflicting feelings, even anger. It can make celebrations of our love for others—and for this nation—tenuous, difficult, even foul. So, what does it mean to love America today? 

With the war in Iran, I pray for the safety of our troops and all innocent civilians. I also pray for the health of our nation. Let me be clear. I am not a politician. I do not seek to make a political argument here. Indeed, I wish to make a human and cultural plea at this pivotal moment.

I know so many people are approaching America’s 250th anniversary with a sense of trepidation, even dread. Is there really anything to celebrate given the recent chaos and uncertainty we’ve been experiencing? Is productively reckoning with our history a possibility these days? And how hopeful will we allow ourselves to be about the future of the nation, its ideals, and our sense of belonging to something larger than ourselves?