Thanks, Veterans! I Owe You My Next Breath of Fresh Air
Happy Memorial Day! My 55+ community of 3,000+ homes is proud to display its patriotism. The main roadways and most all homes, including mine, have American flags billowing in the wind. Those who are veterans have dozens of flags all around their property. I’m honored to sing with Lee Greenwood: “I proudly stand up next to you and defend her still today. ‘Cause there ain’t no doubt, I love this land. God bless the U.SA.”
There are not enough words of gratitude to express to those who have gone before us and to all of you serving today who have been willing to sacrifice your life for our peace and our freedoms. Move over, ANYONE, who takes this peace and freedom for granted. I love you, but, I’ll, respectfully walk out on your rants about what’s wrong with America, because it dishonors those who gave their lives for all that’s right.
Memorial Day was originally created to help us remember the sacrifices of the brave heroes who fought for our peace My family loved this 3-day weekend when we’d gather for a family reunion or a well-planned camping trip. Such sweet peace – sitting around a campfire! That peace was brought to us by those who we honor on Memorial Day.
Our world falls short on peace these days, doesn’t it? Mother Teresa once said, “If we have no peace, it is because we have forgotten that we belong to each other.” Sometimes it seems we have forgotten that we really are in this together. It’s a noisy, hectic, I’m-right-you’re-wrong world out there. Today, I want to make a special effort to be less concerned with making a point, and more concerned with making some peace. Surely if our brave service men and women were (and are) willing to lay down their lives for us, can’t we pull our bootstraps up and do what we can to help bring peace to our world today?
If there really is going to be peace here or anywhere on earth, as the song says, “Let it begin with me.” Let it begin with me on social media, or around the dinner table, or in a church, or a family squabble, or in some legislative chamber. We can take our peace efforts up a notch by serving someone – anyone — whose life is in turmoil or could use a bit of the love that we have within our heart.
Ultimately, the only way we’ll find true peace is when we look to Jesus Who laid down His life for us. Happy Memorial Day to our Lord — thanks for the memories of giving Your life freely for our peace. “And let the peace that comes from Christ rule in your hearts. (Colossians 3:15)
On this Memorial Day, may we put aside all the petty things we complain about, and sincerely be a people who humble ourselves and pray and offer thanksgiving to God Almighty for our great country and for those who served and continue to serve us so unselfishly! God bless America! And, God bless our service men and women from yesterday, today and tomorrow!