...remembering is hard, some times:

    Here in the US of A this weekend is a time of remembering those who have served our country in the military...some losing their lives in doing so...and in remembering those they left behind.  These days, we dare not forget those still serving...and who have paid with their own lives and/or life-changing injuries.  It is good to remember...sometimes it is hard to do so.

    We don't know, exactly, who does this, but the Friday before every Memorial Day in the fifteen good years we've lived in this neighborhood...rain or shine...we've awakened to a flag poked into every front yard.  It was stunning this past Friday to look up and down the street when I went out for the paper to see this.

    Memories can be filled with deep joy...and deep sorrow.  We live life in that in between, if honest with ourselves.  That is where I, too, have been all weekend.  Remembering.  Wondering.  Being grateful.  Being sorrowful.  Through it all, as promised, the Triune God has been here carefully, quietly.

    If we are to be healthy people, we need to live into and beyond all the emotions that memories bring to mind.  For it is to life...as it is tomorow here in the US of A in honoring those who gave their lives...that we are able to live free.

    Whether one has served in any military, or not, life is sometimes a battle no matter where one is doing life.  The Spirit also longs for us to live free, because of another sacrificed life, who came back to life so that we may overcome and live with nourishing freedom beyond any obstacle or circumstance that may show up in our own lives.  I'm remembering Moses' last words to Israel before he died...and before they finally were able to move into their promised land..."Choose life.......!"

    So I sit here in the quiet of this morning honoring all those who have gone before...who joined that great cloud of witnesses the Bible speaks about.  Even in my own moments of grief...and joy...and wondering...and hope.......I believe fully in and trust the One who came to thoroughly redeem the whole of creation past, future and present from any pain one might be experiencing.

    Amen...........

    PS...and I kid you not...I get a daily Bible text sent to my iPhone.  In the process of typing this blog post...this showed up.  The whole Psalm is worth the read, expecially in The Message, on this day:

The Lord is for me, so I will have no fear.

What can mere man do to me?

...Psalm 118:6

 

 

Comments

[cindy yost]

as always, the words of encouragement that the Lord makes known 'through you'...are a 'cool drink of water' in what are sometimes difficult and 'dry' times. We love you and Judy SO much!!! --Cindy and Gary Thank you for the wonderful reminder that...He IS FOR US!