Thank You

Today is Memorial Day—the day we officially honor our veterans by decorating their graves. Saturday morning I drove my mother to the various cemeteries where we have relatives buried. (For those of you who know I recently injured myself and cannot walk without some pretty significant pain, my friend Janice was also with us. She did all of the “leg work.”) Each year Mom and I take time to remember our ancestors and close family members who have already left this life. Each year we enjoy the flowers decorating the grave stones. Each year we proudly view the flags and briefly mention the sacrifice our soldiers have made to make sure the United States remains the land of the free.

It is a beautiful sight to see the flag displays at the entrances of the local cemeteries. Less than a mile from my house, there is a stately line of flags along the south side of the cemetery and a beautiful memorial with a single flag on the north side. It is an impressive sight and can be enjoyed by many as they travel down the highway to their recreational activities this weekend. I wonder how many give a moment of thought to what those flags represent—to the purpose of this national holiday.

This week my dear friend’s son was killed by an improvised explosive device while he was serving our nation in Afghanistan. Immediately the holiday weekend took a more serious tone. The meaning of this day of remembrance is intensified. I can express my sympathy to her and her family, but how do I express my sincere appreciation for the sacrifice they and so many other soldiers and their families have made so I can enjoy the “good life” as a United States citizen?

Thank You

Those two very important words seem so inadequate, maybe even inappropriate, today. But those are the only words which I can articulate.

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.” Colossians 4:2 NIV

Lord, thank you for our military personnel, both the living and those who have lost their earthly lives, who have fought so that we have freedom from a state sponsored religion—so that we can openly and freely worship you.