It is Memorial Day. We usually mark this day by the official opening of my in-laws pool with a barbecue and lots of swimming. This year they are having a new liner installed and the pool is not ready, so no pool party yet.
We do not have any veterans on my side of the family. I think maybe a great uncle or two somewhere. But none that either my mom or I were close to or knew much about. None that I know of on my dad's side. I really don't know about any on Ron's side of the family either. I am sure somewhere there has to be someone. This makes me sad. Memorial Day has always been about a barbecue or a day off. Not to remember those that have served our country which it was designed to do. I think the closest it came to that was when Emma was a baby and my in-laws took us to the cemetery and showed us where Grandpa JO was buried and where their plots were. I couldn't find them again to save my life.
My point is even though our country has faults, it is still the greatest country. We may not be perfect by a long shot but God has been faithful. The commitment and sacrifices of our forefathers has benefited us generation after generation. In some ways I think we are a lot like the Israelites that have 'forgotten' what God has done for us. We have not all passed down the stories of God's faithfulness to the next generation. Last year I used The Light and the Glory by Peter Marshall as part of our history and it was wonderful to hear the amazing stories of God involved in the founding of America. I want my kids to know this stuff, I want to know this stuff! I want them to know that God is not just the God of the Old and New Testament, but God of here and now. That He still works in amazing ways if we rely and trust Him. I want Ella to know how much she is blessed living in the US as opposed to her homeland of China.
Our country is certainly at risk of losing God's favor, so it is up to us, the remnant to make sure that we pass down what we know. I am very grateful for the men and women who have risked so much so we can have so much now. I am grateful for my Albanian neighbors who remind me that life is not like this everywhere and how I should not, cannot take it for granted.
6 comments:
Great reminder on this Memorial Day! We are so blessed and yet we face giant adversaries that would like to take God completely out of American history as well as our future. Hmmmm. I think I will go teach Grace The Pledge of Allegiance! ;)
Wonderful blog!! You are correct, it is an incredible gift to be an American! Never have I known that more than now, being an American in a foreign land. Although today was not a holiday for us here in Switzerland, the kids and I rocked out to a little Go Fish's "I'm an American" in the car. Thank you for your post!
I hate it when this happens...I posted a really great comment and where is it??? GONE...so, I'll try again, even though I know it won't be the same. I have enjoyed reading that book and look forward to reading the same of children's version to my kiddos this summer. Thanks for the reminders of the great things in our country...
Jill, I am so glad you were able to spend the day with us. We had a great time and enjoyed your company oh so much!
You're so right, Jill. Memorial Day should be a day of honoring those who have sacrificed for our freedom. Without that, would we even be able to blog like we do? Both of my grandfathers have war stories to tell (well, one is already passed away...so I tell his stories for him.) Anyway, thank you to all those who fought and are fighting, those who died and those who are yet to die, and those who remained at home holding things together and bravely bearing the pain.
I agree, a little global perspective is so helpful.
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