REMEMBERING WITH TEARS

       Last night Carol and I watched the National Memorial Day program held in front of our nation's capital. The grand music, proud citizens in uniform and touching remembrances of the sacrifices given our nation by its men and women of the Armed Forces made it nearly impossible not to shed a tear as we watched.
        The soldiers of today and past centuries can bring tears of pride, but also of sadness. We are proud that so many of our nation's finest have been and still are willing to place their lives on the line in order that we can enjoy our freedom. Yet there is sadness that the need for standing armies never goes away.
       There is honor and duty in serving our nation as soldier, sailor, marine, or airman. So long as we live on this planet, we must always have them to defend us. We must ever honor and thank them for what they have done and still do.
       We must always be ready and vigilant to defend our country. Mankind's weakness requires it. We humans have risen to such heights of achievement, invention and information, yet we continue to encounter those who would rob, kill and otherwise destroy us. Why?
       The answer is human sinfulness and its never-ending effect on our fallen, selfish natures that results in havoc and evil on others, evil inspired by Satan, the author of evil. The amazing thing is that God continues His grace and mercy upon us despite our sin. Jesus bids us love one another, including our enemies, a near-impossible task when evil comes close to home and loved ones.
       Jesus said, “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you." (Matthew 5:44) Yes, He wants us to love them and pray for them, even those who would kill us and our loved ones! I don't know all that it means to love them, nor do I have the strength to do so. But I'm sure praying for them is a good start, prayer that God would change their hearts toward us and our attitude towards them.
       Carol and I pray daily together and give God thanks for all those who protect us, especially those armed guards who stand between us and the evils of the world. We also regularly give God thanks for allowing us to live in such a great nation as we still have.

Thank You, God, for blessing America!