Remember the Cost

I had every intention of posting this on Memorial Day, and then the day got away from me and I didn't get back to getting the formatting finished in time to post it. I then thought I'd just wait and post it next year, but I think that it is never too late to emphasize the importance of Memorial Day...even if the actual day has passed and it's the middle of June. 

Take a moment today to reflect on the fact that in spite of the sin and the mess our country is in, we are blessed to live in America. A country where we have the freedom to study God's Word, the freedom to assemble in corporate Worship, and the freedom to pray!

Let's say a prayer of comfort and peace for all those who have been touched by the death of a loved one while in service to our country...a prayer of thanks that there are those who have given their very lives for freedom's sake.

I created the video below to remind us all to...remember the cost. Remembering all those who gave their lives for our freedom. #freedomisnotfree
God bless the USA! #MemorialDay #thankful #grateful #GodBlessAmerica🇺🇸

Greater love has no one that this, that he lay down his life for his friends. ~ John 15:13

Remembering the Fallen on Memorial Day

I'm sitting at my desk this evening and pondering. 

Looking out my home office window I watch the sun as it slips below the mountains in the distance casting amazingly brilliant red and yellow hues across the sky as if to shine out in all it's glory one last hurrah before it vanishes into the dark night sky. 

And I wonder as I consider all the lives lost on the battlefields.  Was their death one of valiant glory…one of honor? 

Who was left behind? What is their story? 

It's so easy just to think of Memorial Day as another opportunity for a three-day weekend, family cookouts, and a chance to get out on the golf course or the lake… a time to just kick back and relax. It has been that for me in years past…as I have given a quick thought and a prayer of thankfulness to God for those who were willing to lay their own lives down for my freedom.  

But for some reason this year it has me pondering. Perhaps it's my age. Being a grandmother, I can't help but think of the future of my grandchildren. Or maybe it's that I feel our country seems to be at a crossroads.  And so I reflect on the bravery of men and women who have been willing to lay down their lives serving our country, defending our borders, and sustaining our freedoms.

I also wonder. How many people really know what Memorial Day is all about?  As a young girl, I remember seeing the red poppies on Memorial Day. It's been a while since I've seen those. There is a story behind the poppies and the lady who made them popular as a symbol of Memorial Day. You can read about the red poppies and the history of Memorial Day here: Memorial Day History

Memorial Day began as a somber day of remembrance. It was actually called Decoration Day at one time because this was the day when Americans went to cemeteries to place flags or flowers on the graves of those who have died in war. A day to remember all those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.

This day continues as a day to honor those who have died in war in service to our country. For some, the day is a very personal one. Their own stories intermingle with those who are now gone. I live just the next town over from a very well known Naval Air Force Base. We have many young military families who attend Journey.  I have come to love and appreciate these young families. I am humbled by the level of honor and commitment they display to our country and sometimes I get just a glimpse of the sacrifice they pay.

My friend, Brittany, posted this letter today. It is from her friend's daughter…written to her daddy this Memorial Day.

So I remember that for each fallen hero there are loved ones left behind to pick up the pieces and carry on. I pray for their strength and courage as they face each new day. I ask that God will comfort them in their loss and grant to them the peace that passes understanding.  I say thank you…please know that my sympathy, respect, and prayers are with you all this day. 

As the day comes to a close, I wonder how many realize the sobering truth of this day's significance? How many have fallen? How many are left behind? Are we teaching our children to honor those who have fought and died for our freedoms?

I close with this picture and the words of one little boy named Asher…who upon visiting the Northern Nevada Veteran's Memorial Cemetery today with his sweet mama, declared, "Whoa! That's a lot of heroes!"

Remembering all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. God bless. ✝

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

Have a memorable Memorial Day

Do we really remember on this day?

Memorial Day is often a day spent with family and friends...filled with family backyard barbecues,  a day at the beach/lake, or maybe spent getting summer gardens readied. For some families it means making sure the graves of their loved ones have flowers. Those flowers are placed there out of  respect for the lives lived and died in sacrificial service to  our country. For others, it's just another day off work...a time to relax or play or sleep. 

 I'm not sure that I have ever been alone on Memorial Day...ever.  Well, that is until today.  I find myself alone today.  My husband and son are visiting family in KY/MI for my husband's nephew's wedding...their presence was required as they were both actually in the wedding.  My daughter and her husband are on their first road trip as a married couple to visit family back east.  So here I am with my two dogs.  I was okay being left back home...until today.  I'm not sure why. Maybe it's because my husband has been gone for almost a full week...or maybe it's just being alone on a holiday when I am accustomed to being with family. 

So I find myself doing laundry, a little cleaning, making plans to do some reading in the sun this afternoon, and making a trip to Walmart.  Now usually at the check-out line in stores on a holiday the typical greeting would be, "Happy (insert name of holiday here)".  I didn't hear that today...well, there was this one woman in the aisle saying, "Happy Memorial Day" to someone as she passed.  I couldn't help but think, is that an appropriate greeting on a holiday such as today?  Is it a day to say be happy or somber...or just grateful?   As I sit and reflect on this day I wonder how many people really know what it's  all about.  To many it is merely the weekend that represents the beginning of summer vacations and activities.  Some people think it is a holiday for remembering any and all dead.  Wow...it saddens me that we are so easily forgetting a meaningful memorial to our nation's history. This holiday represents a memorial to all of those who have died defending the freedoms of this country...a time to show our thanks and gratitude for all of those living and dead who were and are willing to lay their lives on the line so that we continue to have the privilege of living in a free country.  If you are interested in a bit more about this holiday you should check the website, www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.  Among the origins and the meaning of the holiday, it mentions the origins of the red poppies I remember seeing being worn on this day when I was a young girl. I didn't see any of those poppies today...hmmm....

So in honor of all of those who laid their lives down for the freedoms we are privileged to experience in this great nation of ours(yes...in comparison to so many other countries and in spite of its flaws, we live in a great nation),  I will say a personal prayer of thanksgiving and leave you with these words:

A Soldier
By A. Aguilar

There is  discipline in A Soldier you can see it when he walks,
There is honor in A Soldier you hear it when he talks.

There is courage in A Soldier you can see it in his eyes,
There is loyalty in A Soldier that he will not compromise. 

There is something in A Soldier that makes him stand apart,
There is strength in A Soldier that beats from his heart.

A Soldier isn't a title any man can be hired to do,
A Soldier is the soul of that man buried deep inside of you.

A Soldier's job isn't finished after an 8 hour day or a 40 hour week,
A Soldier is always A Soldier even while he sleeps.

A Soldier serves his country first and his life is left behind,
A Soldier has to sacrifice what comes first in a civilian's mind.

If you are a civilian - I am saying this to you…
next time you see A Soldier remember what they do.

A Soldier is the reason our land is 'Home of the free',
A soldier is the one that is brave protecting you and me. 

If you are A Soldier - I am saying this to you…
Thank God for EVERY SOLDIER Thank God for what YOU do!

For EVERY FALLEN HERO,
The ultimate sacrifice they have given is beyond any words, God Bless the 
families and loved ones that have had to endure the pain of losing their HERO. 
My sympathies, prayers, love and respect are with you all. 

Remembering all those who made the ultimate sacrifice. God bless. ✝

"Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." - John 15:13

Have a memorable Memorial Day.