Celebrating 250 Years: Love, Sacrifice, and the American Dream

June 30, 2026 | By: Marybeth S.

Every morning, when I walk outside and stare at the trees, feel the breeze skim through my hair, and hear the birds joyfully chirp all around me, I think to myself: this is nature. The more I look, the more I’m flooded by a sense of how alive everything is, and the more mornings I walk outside, the more I come to realize a simple but powerful truth: I came outside to enjoy nature’s life, yet as I stand in its presence, I find my own spirit stirring to life instead.

In the same way, as the fourth of July approaches and I sit here in my suburban American home reflecting on our great country’s history – of dependence on God, of resilience in its pursuits for freedom, of brotherly love, and of sacrificing without reservation – I find the fading embers of my spirit stoked to life by these principles, beckoning me to be the best person I can be and a better “brother” to my fellow Americans.

While I was born an American and grew up learning about the freedoms we’re blessed to have, as well as the values that bind us together as a nation, the idea that it was my responsibility to uphold those values in my own life faded as I grew older and developed my own strong beliefs. Like many, I took to bickering with others, defending my points of view till I had beaten the other man over the head with them; mocking the name of brotherly love, just so I could get a few drops of gratification at proving him wrong.

But there’s the deception: it was not drops of gratification I was attaining, rather, they were drops of blood shed by the American dream, with each and every brother I cut down. There can be no doubt, there is a bloodbath tearing through our country – driven by the differences that make us unique while warping them into impassable divisions – and it is this that now risks tainting the American dream.

Years ago, a similar bloody war was being waged on our soil, but this was not a war grounded on internal disagreements or dissentions, quite the opposite. This was a war fought by a band of unified brothers, despite their differences, against those who would bind them in the chains of ignorance and subjection.

These unified brothers, our ancestors, won their war simply because of that; they were unified. Rooted together as Americans – fighting for the freedom of the next generation with willing hearts ready to sacrifice for the ones they loved – these men were able to cast aside their differences and disagreements because they had a common goal and knew that their greatest enemy was not Britain, but divisions with each other.

The victorious freedom America attained those 250 years ago was not won by a ravenous, unquenchable hate, but rather, a passionate, overflowing love for one’s neighbor and the welfare of future America. It was a love built on courage, resilience and sacrifice, and it is this same love that still sets us apart, and makes our spirits swell with pride when, with a smile and a nod, a stranger may look at us and say by our actions, “Now, that’s an American.”

There is a reason why America is the longest standing constitutional republic and I like to think it all traces back to God’s love for us and the values our ancestors chose to uphold: brotherly love, sacrifice, and freedom. While they were drafting the Constitution, the founding fathers, though not all Christians, nevertheless turned to the Lord’s word for guidance. There they found a picture of the Son of God, torn and beaten on the cross as an act of love, sacrificing Himself so that all people could find freedom in Him.

This way of living, though not always so clearly painted or acknowledged, has been the steady north star that has guided the way Americans lead their lives for over two hundred years. The bar was set high for us, but as Americans, resting in this glorious freedom the Lord has granted us as a country, it is up to us to model our Savior; to be willing and able to love and sacrifice for our brothers daily, because that’s what we’re called to do.

“By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another…I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” –John 13:35, 15:5

As we celebrate the 250^th birthday of our great country, let us remember what makes us so great, what values and principles we’re known for as Americans, let our fruit not wither and fade but let it be ripe and pleasing for all who taste of it, and let us remind ourselves that we are to be a daily example to our brothers and the rest of the world of what true sacrificial love looks like.

My prayer for you, and the prayer from all of us at IFI, is that as you reflect on the Lord’s goodness to America and what makes her so great as a nation, your heart would feel that deep stirring inside of your chest, yearning to be the best man or woman you can be and to love others sacrificially – just as Christ did on the cross – and reclaim the American dream from the divisions that seek to destroy us.

Brotherly love runs deep in our blood.

Let’s live up to our calling.

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Here’s Why Indiana is Celebrating the Nuclear Family This June

June 8, 2026 – By Marybeth Struble

Last Monday, Governor Braun signed a proclamation declaring that June shall be celebrated as “Nuclear Family Month.” It had formerly been celebrated nationally as a time to support those who identified with the LGBT movement. 

However, “pride,” in that sense, has never been associated with the roots of the American way. If anything, this movement goes against many of the biblical principles that have kept us strong as a nation for generations. On the other hand, the nuclear family has deep roots in our American heritage and is a part of what makes America so special. 

Looking at it statistically, 37% of American families still look like the traditional nuclear family, whereas the LGBT movement (a movement, not an American tradition) has a mere 9% of US citizens (and illegals) behind it.

If our country is going to dedicate a month to something and thus champion its importance, doesn’t it make more sense to choose a principle or tradition that has been a cornerstone of our prosperity, as opposed to a movement known for its battles with mental health challenges?

Coming up on our country’s 250th birthday, it seems especially fitting to champion one of the principles that causes our nation to be a light to the rest of the world for how it values life, all life, not just a select group, and seeks to better the next generation: The nuclear family.

The nuclear family is important for many reasons, but one in particular is posterity; how it affects our children. In Ephesians 6:4, we’re commanded, “Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord.” The devil knows that if he wants to tear down a Christian society, all he has to do is attack the family unit.

Just look at this study on how healthy families impact adolescent health: “The study confirms the pivotal role of family functioning in adolescents’ mental health and well-being. Family environments characterized by high cohesion, adaptability, and healthy communication are protective against anxiety and are related to increased self-esteem. These positive family dynamics provide a conducive environment for psychological resilience and well-being in adolescents.”

The analysis continues, “an individual [child]’s dysfunctional conduct indicates dysfunction within the familial system that they are a part of.”

And on a different, but still important, level, the NIH has this to say: “Children coming from single/divorced families were […] more likely to have a diagnosis of ADHD compared to other types of families.”

The traditional nuclear family has been a common practice since the 13th century and a staple of the American way since our country was formed. Fathers were the breadwinners, allowing the mothers to stay at home and care for the children. These small family units had close intimacy and strong support systems within each other, allowing their children to thrive. 

After all, the whole reason why the separatists decided to leave their home in England was because of the religious freedoms they craved for themselves and their children. They wanted to live Godly lives with their families, so they went searching for a land where they could do that.

Fast forward a few years, and the Revolutionary War is being waged. Like their separatist ancestors, these patriots were fighting so they, but more importantly, their children could enjoy their God-given rights of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.

And then after WWII, America had just emerged victorious after years of uncertainty, despair and bloodshed. But the allies had won and thus preserved a world for the next generation to keep living out the American dream. The traditional nuclear family became championed even more than ever, and the nation as a whole thrived.

Fast forward one more time to present-day America. An America where “family” now includes single moms, same-sex parents, and parents giving their mental and emotional best to their careers rather than their children.

This shift means parents aren’t able to live out their first calling: to nurture and raise their children. Instead, parents are encouraged to focus on themselves and let the schools and government supply the responsibilities God gave to them.

That’s why God declared to the Israelites, “These commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.”

The nuclear family is not only God’s design for how He wants His children to live together, but it also models how children should be raised up to not be led astray into sin.

Celebrating homosexuality or failing to recognize the historical as well as spiritual significance of the nuclear family is a failure to remember what makes America great as well as the many ways God has blessed and sustained us – not only as a nation, but as individual family units. 

In Matthew 18:6, Jesus says, “If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea.”

God’s commands are clear. They’re for our good. Our children’s good. Our nation’s good. And that’s something to celebrate.

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Indiana is Reclaiming June – Let’s Celebrate Nuclear Family Month!

For years, June has been commandeered by the LGBT movement as “Pride Month.” Now, Indiana is reclaiming it to focus on something far more enduring and worthy of celebration: the family.

On Monday, Governor Mike Braun signed a proclamation declaring June 2026 to be Nuclear Family Month in the State of Indiana. IFI is proud to have been a driving force behind making this landmark moment a reality.

Over the past several weeks, we have been working closely with the Governor and Lieutenant Governor’s offices to bring this proclamation to life. It recognizes what we have always believed: that the nuclear family is God’s design for the family structure, the foundation of a healthy society, and the most effective means of raising children into capable adults. It also ties this celebration to a bigger moment. As our nation marks America’s 250th anniversary, strengthening families has never been more important.

Every child deserves a mom and a dad. Research consistently shows that when moms and dads love each other and love their children well, the effects ripple outward in powerful ways, such as reducing rates of mental health struggles, substance abuse, criminal activity, and childhood poverty. Strong families are not just good for children – they are the bedrock of safe, thriving communities. 

While we recognize that no family is perfect, there is a profound difference between families that fall short of perfection and a culture that deliberately denies children a mom or a dad, placing the desires of adults above the needs of children. When we thumb our nose at God’s design for the family, the consequences are not just personal; they are generational, and they touch every corner of society. God’s perfect design for the family simply works, and that’s what we’re celebrating in Indiana this June. We encourage you to join in the celebration with us! Share the proclamation with your friends, family, and church community. Post it on social media. Talk about it. Let’s make sure Hoosiers know that Indiana stands for strong families. This victory is possible because of your continued support of IFI’s work. Thank you for standing with us!

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Don’t miss our Fall Dinner on September 17th, where we’ll celebrate a year of wins just like this one alongside The Babylon Bee’s Seth Dillon. Register today by clicking here.

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