I started this Memorial Day Weekend by shopping. I was thrilled at the great sales and the
additional discount I would receive with my Military ID card. Even as I drove home Saturday and saw all the
beautiful flags lining the streets, I was just excited about my incredible
bargains. Sunday, after a short
discussion about our country and the reason for Memorial Day in Sunday School,
I was ashamed I had been so shallow. I
take so many things for granted. My
husband serves as a member of the Army National Guard. No, he is not in Iraq, nor has he been there…
yet. But he has made a commitment to go
if he is called on to do so. He spends
many hours each week and at least one weekend each month training so that will
be prepared to go. He does this on top
of his other responsibilities to finish school, provide for his family, and be
an active husband and father.
We truly live in a chosen land that has been miraculously preserved
and blessed by the hand of the Lord for centuries, even millennia. But we will not continue to be so blessed
unless we live our lives in accordance with the will of the God of this
land-even God, in whom we Trust. As I
see flags while driving down the street on our way to enjoy our “holiday”, I
chose from now on to take a moment and really appreciate what all the men and
women in our military have done for us. I
chose to take a moment and think about what small part I can play in keeping
our freedom. All the fighting and sacrifices
of the thousands of soldiers and families doesn’t do us any good if we neglect
the freedom they have fought for. I
chose to SHOW my gratitude for our freedom, not only by flying our country’s
flag, but by being a responsible citizen, by choosing to be an active parent, by
obeying the speed limit, by picking up trash, by going to vote! Instead of grumbling about how our government
has gone to the dogs, I chose to get up and do something about it. “Of the People… By the People…For the People…” This is our Nation and if we stop caring
about its history and its future, God will stop caring too.
I honor the Soldiers today, from the Revolutionary War to the
present War in Iraq. I honor those
soldiers and their families who have made innumerable sacrifices; sacrifices of
time, energy, sweat, tears and even their very lives. I honor my husband. I honor their service and their sacrifice for
my freedom.
