Honoring heroes

Memories of our lives, of our works and deeds, will continue in others. –Rosa Parks

 

In the States, this coming weekend marks Memorial Day, when we pause to remember all who gave their lives fighting for this country. It’s an important time, and an important thing to do. But for churches, it can be difficult.

It can be hard on veterans who made it home, but left fellow soldiers behind.

It can be difficult to listen to the stories of battles won and lives lost.

It can be a challenge to find ways to remember and honor these soldiers without glorifying the violence and wars they participated in, especially as history calls into question the necessity of going into such a war in the first place.

As we pause to reflect and remember this weekend, I am suggesting this approach: Pause and remember the soldiers who gave their lives out of love; look around in your life for ways you can reflect a love for God that goes beyond any other love. Then give thanks for the soldiers who made it home, and find a way to show them how much God loves them. In doing this, I suspect you, too, will receive a refresher in experiencing God’s deep, abiding, unfailing Love in your life. (Amen?)


Monday Pause today and give thanks for those who willingly gave their lives so that others might live. We will always remember. Isaiah 6:1-4

Tuesday Reflect today on the hardest thing you ever had to do as a child. Maybe it was moving to a new neighborhood or staring a new school. Look back through your “grownup eyes” and give thanks. Isaiah 6:5-8

Wednesday Pause today and pray for the leadership of your church family, both ordained and lay. Ask God to continue to impart wisdom. Psalm 29:1-5

Thursday As summer approaches, pray for those who are getting a summer break after this year of pandemic teaching. (Learning, however, never takes a break.) Give thanks for their special gifts. Psalm 29:6-11

Friday Close your eyes and remember a time when God felt especially close. Pray for God’s presence to continue to be manifest in every aspect of your life. Romans 8:12-17

Saturday Is there an area in your life that needs change? Spend some time in prayer about a needed change. John 3:1-8

Sunday Feeling hungry today? Want to connect with these fellow travelers on the journey? How might you feed your hungry spirit for the week ahead? Invite a friend to join you. John 3:9-17

 

To reminisce with my old friends, a chance to share some memories and play our songs again. It's all right now; I learned my lesson well. –Ricky Nelson

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