Thanks, Veterans! I Owe You My Next Breath of Fresh Air!
Happy Memorial Day! As I walked up to my church on Saturday Evening, I saw those many flags stationed throughout the churchyard. I was delighted to see so much patriotism. I had holy chill bumps. I can only imagine what the veterans and current people of uniform must have felt. 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 “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!
** To all our servicement and women, we deeply appreciate you. You are selflessly giving and devoted, and your sacrifices do not go unnoticed.
** To the families of our military members, know you have our sincerest thanks. You are generous and brave behind the scenes, and your sacrifices do not go unnoticed.
** And to those families of the fallen, may you feel the all-encompassing arms of Jesus around you on this Memorial Day and always. May you rest in the heart of God, a heart that knows the ache of loss Himself. He longs to comfort you and love you in the middle of your own loss.
With tender hearts we lift you all up today, and we say “Thank you for everything, including this 3-day holiday where we are free to sing: “I’m proud to be an American, where at least I know I’m free, and I won’t forget the men (and women) who died, who gave that right to me!”