Christmas is the perfect time to consider where we are on our journey from getter to giver. For some the transition happens quickly as we outgrow our inward focus, finding greater satisfaction in what we do for others. From seeing a smile over a gift we give, to passing on long-held traditions, to making others feel loved, welcomed, and cared for as we celebrate in our homes—our joy from what we give far surpasses what we receive.

As we reflect on our citizenship in Ottawa County and America, a similar transition has happened for many of us. Before the closures and mandates were put upon us in response to Covid, many of us were merely receivers. We let the government organize and control our lives, teachers and administrators run the schools, doctors tell us how to take care of our bodies, and so on. We stayed in what we thought were our lanes—going to work and caring for our family—and let others serve us and our household. It seemed as though we all had our jobs to do, and we were trusting each was working in our best interest. We were the getters.

Then in 2020 everything shut down. In response, many began experiencing a transition away from the assumption of how we thought the world ran. We began to realize that the government, the schools, and the healthcare system were not acting in our best interest. In fact, their actions and initiatives were harming our families and livelihoods. The realization caused many of us who had been unaware and uniformed to be reminded of our rights as citizens, citizens newly alert to government overreach, the indoctrination and sexualization of schools, and a healthcare system focused on profits and power.

Grasping the mindset of our forefathers, we are recognizing our duty as patriots. We have a county to protect and children to protect. Those in government, schools, and healthcare work for us.

We get to set the tone and share with the next generation—and those still unaware—what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ, a resident of Ottawa County, and an American citizen. If we don’t, who will?