July 4 Remembrance
- Deborah
- Jul 4
- 4 min read
Series: Mama Said
Personalities and Pledges
I Corinthians 6:17 ESV; Philippians 4:17 reference
I’ve always been fascinated by the formation of personality types and how formation happens. When
I was in Seminary counseling courses I learned about personality types and was given some
clues about that subject. That does not make me an expert. Actually it just makes me more curious about personality formation and purpose.
On this day I think about the Founding Fathers of the USA and the thought that they were formed for a purpose. I believe we are all formed for a purpose. Our history and even our old things can be a part of that purpose.
It’s no surprise that many factors play a part in the formation of any child’s personality.
For example, when I was young I adored both of my grandmothers but I spent more time with my Dad’s
mom. We used to go to Ireland’s Grocery Store (owned by my grandparents) often. As a child (and an
adult child) I loved Grandma’s collection of old things. She loved antiques and from her I developed a love
for old things. She told wonderful stories about almost every item in her collection. I thought her old
things were wonderful treasures! Like my grandmother I am an eclectic and I love a mixture of old things. Some people would call it junk. I call it treasure. You get the idea.
Fast forward many years…at some point I discovered everyone was not so enamored with non valuable old things. My Mother is a perfect example. She is a traditionalist and she doesn’t find joy in the stories old things tell. A few of my 8 children (which includes my children’s spouses) agree with my mother. A few humor me and a few understand…it all comes down to personalities.
When I studied personality types in graduate school I was somewhat surprised that I am a lot like my
dad’s mother. We both found comfort in old stories and in old items that tell a story.
Growing up I also spent a lot of time sitting with my dad while he read and studied for his Sunday School
lesson. I was given the opportunity to ask questions. Those conversations led me to formulate my belief
system in Christ. I Corinthians 6:17 tells us, “But he who is joined to the Lord becomes one spirit with
him.” I decided I wanted Jesus in my life. When I was twelve years old I went to Arrowhead Stadium to hear Billy Graham. When I walked into the Stadium that night hurricane force winds swept through my soul. I cried the entire time I was there. I cried because I wanted Jesus.
After that night I started having dreams and visions. Some time after I had a dream they became a reality in my life. My dad helped me to understand my dreams and visions were gifts that became part of my formation as well. Being ONE WITH Christ means more to me than I can adequately express. I cannot imagine life without Jesus. When I meet someone who is tormented by this world my prayer for them is always that Jesus will ‘cut through’ their demons and touch their heart, giving them peace.
The “peace that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:17) really is the greatest blessing we are given.
Some of my greatest treasures from my childhood are not things…they are memories of things. Now
when I remember my Dad’s Mother, I smile and I am grateful that I knew her. She was a woman of faith
who loved old things. I thank God that she played a great role in my life.
When I think of precious old things I also remember my family going to Washington D.C. It was about a year after I heard Billy Graham. My dad told me about the importance of the documents we saw (like the Constitution). He was U.S. Navy in WorldWar II. He made a pledge to uphold the constitution and protect it with his life.
The Founding Fathers played a great role in our formation today. Their personalities were no accident. Their beliefs can be seen in the constitution they formulated that has been in operation since 1789. It is now the longest surviving written document of a government.
Every U.S. serviceman/woman (like my dad) pledges to protect those words and that document with
their lives when they join the military. Each time time they promote they pledge to uphold the
constitution.
They do not pledge to one president or ideology.
They pledge to uphold the constitution. I have personally attended many many ceremonies of
servicemen when they promoted and they pledged to uphold the Constitution.
On this date in 2025 I would encourage you to read the Constitution of the United States. After you read it think…really think about what the President, Senators, Members of Congress, members of the Courts, and servicemen and women are called and have promised to uphold with their lives.
It’s not their own agenda. It’s not about who they ‘owe’.
It’s about the Constitution of the United States of America. I added some additional links that might be pertinent on this day.
Finally, I am thankful for the Founding Fathers and their special personalities.
I am thankful for the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, and the structure we were given (I believe given by God).
On this day you can do fireworks, eat hot dogs and sit by the campfire but consider being thankful for the structure we were given by men of who had God-given personalities to boldly take the steps to give us the structure we still have today.
The Constitution of the United States of America
The Declaration of Independence: https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/declaration
and finally, a link to an explanation about personality types.
Personality Types: (https://www.crawfordinternational.co.za/determining-your-childs-s-personality-type)
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