National Anthem

The Star Spangled Banner became our country’s national anthem in 1931. It was written by Francis Scoot Key who penned the words after witnessing the bombardment of Fort M’Henry by the British during the war of 1812. A recurring stanza, “O’er the land of the free and the home of the brave,” helps all of us to remember and commemorate a significant event in our country’s history. The Star Spangled also reminds us and helps us to identify with the symbolism of our country; we are free and a home to the brave. 

In 1972, I too wrote an anthem to commemorate a significant event; my father’s suicide. My anthem was entitled, “I Don’t Need Anyone.”  Some of the stanzas in that song included; “It’s too risky to trust anyone, I’ll never do that again, because I won’t need anyone.” 

As a result of that anthem, I marched to a singular drum; my own. I became overly cautious in my relationships and enlisted the help of wariness as my front and rear guard of self-preservation. 

The memory of the tragic loss of my dad tainted my perspective of self and others. For the span of about ten years, from the age of thirteen until my early twenties I was on guard, ready to put my dukes toward anyone by whom I felt threatened. 

But then, an event changed my anthem. I’ve written about this event often because it is an event worth remembering; I encountered the presence of Jesus.

Encountering Jesus as a living human being instead of the dead and bloodied figure on the iconic cross I’d grown up with, changed everything for and about me. Not all at once per say, but little step of faith by little step of faith. Jesus miraculously broke open what I’d sealed shut; my heart. He’s thawed out what I’d frozen; a willingness to trust. Day by day I am shown how to see everyone and everything differently.

Big on Forgiveness

Day in and day out, this walk of faith has shown me areas that need tending to. One particular area was the need to rewrite my anthem. I could no longer sing, “It’s too risky to trust anyone, I’ll never do that again, because I won’t need anyone.” Consequently, the title of my new song has become, “I Trust You.” One of the stanzas is; “Lead me and guide me in the way I should go.”

My new anthem led me to forgive my father for abandoning me, for not being where I needed him to be, and harming me more than he’d intended. I’ve been shown that Jesus does not condemn, blame or accuse anyone, so why should I? 

Why Bother?

Why bother considering our anthem? Anthems are powerful reminders of significant events that evoke strong emotional memories and serve as a symbol of our lives. What is your anthem? Is it worthy to be sung or does it need to be rewritten? 

You can read the whole story of my journey to forgiveness in my book, A Heart’s Journey To Forgiveness found at Redemption Press and Amazon. Also, please accept my invitation to attend the next Emotional Healing Through Forgiveness© workshop on Saturday, April 26, from 4-7 p.m. at the YMCA click on link and scroll down to Events. https://tereseluikens.com/workshop/