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Day 71: God Bless America!




May 25, 2020

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13)  On this Memorial Day my thoughts go to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice for not only their friends, but people they never met, for their country.  Where does one find the courage to join the military, leave their own loved ones and put themselves in harm’s way?  We also cannot forget those who gave up years of their lives, being away from their families, missing birthdays, weddings, holidays.  And there are those who come home from serving but are never the same because of all they have been through.  Today as I live my safe little life and celebrate Memorial Day with my family, I want to be more aware of how easy my life is compared to those who are away from the people they care about, serving their country.  Also, I want to be more grateful that I can see my children today and spend time with them, while so many families are incomplete because their spouses, parents and children have answered the call to protect us all.  “War is hell.”  And the after effects of war are hell.  I pray today for peace and healing for all those who have lost and who have been lost, to preserve our rights and our freedom.  May God bless America and help us to be a country that loves and cares for its people.  Galatians 5: 13-15 in The Message translation of the Bible says: “It is absolutely clear that God has called you to a free life. Just make sure that you don’t use this freedom as an excuse to do whatever you want to do and destroy your freedom. Rather, use your freedom to serve one another in love; that’s how freedom grows. For everything we know about God’s Word is summed up in a single sentence: Love others as you love yourself. That’s an act of true freedom.”  God bless America!  Smile and be joyful!

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