Today, the day before Memorial Day, I visited a church where the pastor took time to recognize veterans in the congregation as well as those who had served in the United States military, giving the ultimate sacrifice. As each name was given, I had a moment to reflect on what that means, the ultimate sacrifice, giving their lives for our freedom. Each name was not just a name but a representation of a person who cared enough to make a difference.
As we celebrate Memorial Day here in the United States, we have another opportunity to remember those who serve and have served our country well. In World War II alone, over 60 million people, civilian and military, were killed. And in that war, there was a man by the name of Arvil who served in the US Army in the 82nd Airborne Division. Arvil saw action from Africa, Sicily, Italy and Holland. He was a PFC and a paratrooper. In his combat jumps, he and his fellow paratroopers would jump from an altitude of 600 feet. Pretty low for a jump. But with good reason. This allowed less time for the enemy to shoot at them before they landed. After one particular combat jump, Arvil noticed bullet holes in his canteen and his pack but not a scratch on him. During his military career, he saw a lot of combat and he was wounded on several occasions. After a 4-month stint in the hospital, he could have been assigned light duty but Arvil wouldn’t hear of it. He wanted to be back with his own outfit, in combat. To hear Arvil tell it, it was because soldiers develop a deep sense of comradeship and those you fight with, side-by-side, often become closer than a brother. Before all was said and done, Arvil was awarded the Purple Heart, the Bronze Star, parachutist Badge, Combat Infantry Badge, WW II Victory Medal, and others.
Closer than a brother. Do you have friends that you feel this way about? Maybe it’s because you’ve weathered some hard times together. Maybe it’s because you’ve shared some good times. Maybe it’s because you’ve shared some time on the front lines. Closer than a brother.
In Proverbs 18:24, the Bible says, “A man that hath friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Because of these that did stick together closer than a brother, we can celebrate life. We can enjoy the freedoms they fought so hard to give to us.
On this Memorial Day, won’t you take a moment away from the picnic, the cookout, the time on the beach to reflect on what Memorial Day means for you?
When I think of those that cared enough to make a difference, it’s humbling. And it gives me an even greater reason to celebrate life. They died to make a difference. Let us live in such a way to make sure they didn’t die in vain.
As we enjoy this 3-day weekend with friends and family, let’s celebrate life! Let’s enjoy it! But let’s also remember the reason we have the freedom to celebrate and enjoy and follow our dreams.
But, for now, I invite you to take the next few moments to reflect and remember those, like Arvil, who served and why they served. And to thank God for men and women, from today and yesterday, who gave all. For us. Always remember; never forget.
(For a beautiful rendition of Taps, click here).
Jean
Fulfill Your Dreams
Only You Can Change Your Life
Sunday, May 29, 2011
Saturday, May 21, 2011
It's the End of the World as We Know It
This week, I was on vacation at the beautiful North Carolina shore. When I’m on vacation, I take a break from everything. It’s the best way to rejuvenate my spirit and ensure that I’m more productive when I return to the real world. So, in the few moments I did turn on the television, I stayed away from the news channels. Mostly. Until my last vacation day when, while channel surfing, something caught my attention. It was (drum roll, please) the end (dramatic pause) of the world.
As I took my last walk along the coast, which in theory could be my ‘last’ walk if Harold Camping’s prediction is right, I pondered what I had heard. Apparently, as with any doomsday prediction there were people who whole-heartedly believed it and people who found it to be a good excuse to go out and party. Then there are those of us who find it interesting, not really believable, but an opportunity to reflect on questions such as, “If this were my last day on Earth, how would I spend it so I would leave with no regrets?”
Feeling the sand between my toes and the sun on my face, I had to admit that I would have no regrets in leaving. I know, without a doubt, that those I love (my family and friends) know that I love them. I harbor no ill will toward anyone in my heart. And when it comes down to the end, the fact that I never owned a Lexus or a Versace won’t really matter all that much.
I realized what really matters is my relationship with God’s wonderful creations- people. It’s true that, when it comes to material things, you can’t take it with you. But the way we treat others, that’s what we’ll leave behind as our legacy. For good or for bad. So, I had to ask myself: Am I leaving behind a legacy of kindness and forgiveness? Are you? And if not, what can you do about it?
Realize that it’s not too late to make a change. Maybe, like me, you don’t really believe the world will end on 5/21/2011 at 6pm. But, if it did, wouldn’t it be great to make your exit performing an act of kindness for someone else rather than drowning your sorrows and regrets in a bottle? And, if it isn’t the end, how much better will it be to wake up the next day with a joyful heart rather than a painful hang-over?
Is this the end of the world as we know it? I hope so. Let tomorrow be a better day, a day where kindness and forgiveness abound. It doesn’t take a disastrous prediction to make that happen. All it takes is you to either make a change or affect a change in someone else. You CAN make a difference!
Now, just in case you’re wondering why I don’t buy in to these types of apocalyptic predictions, it’s because the Bible clearly states that no one, not even the angels or Jesus Christ himself, knows the hour when Christ will return. Only God knows. (Refer to Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32). For me, it’s that simple.
Of course, I may just wait a few days to cut the lawn. After all, no use wasting my time. So, as I hum that tune, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It,” I feel fine.
Jean
As I took my last walk along the coast, which in theory could be my ‘last’ walk if Harold Camping’s prediction is right, I pondered what I had heard. Apparently, as with any doomsday prediction there were people who whole-heartedly believed it and people who found it to be a good excuse to go out and party. Then there are those of us who find it interesting, not really believable, but an opportunity to reflect on questions such as, “If this were my last day on Earth, how would I spend it so I would leave with no regrets?”
Feeling the sand between my toes and the sun on my face, I had to admit that I would have no regrets in leaving. I know, without a doubt, that those I love (my family and friends) know that I love them. I harbor no ill will toward anyone in my heart. And when it comes down to the end, the fact that I never owned a Lexus or a Versace won’t really matter all that much.
I realized what really matters is my relationship with God’s wonderful creations- people. It’s true that, when it comes to material things, you can’t take it with you. But the way we treat others, that’s what we’ll leave behind as our legacy. For good or for bad. So, I had to ask myself: Am I leaving behind a legacy of kindness and forgiveness? Are you? And if not, what can you do about it?
Realize that it’s not too late to make a change. Maybe, like me, you don’t really believe the world will end on 5/21/2011 at 6pm. But, if it did, wouldn’t it be great to make your exit performing an act of kindness for someone else rather than drowning your sorrows and regrets in a bottle? And, if it isn’t the end, how much better will it be to wake up the next day with a joyful heart rather than a painful hang-over?
Is this the end of the world as we know it? I hope so. Let tomorrow be a better day, a day where kindness and forgiveness abound. It doesn’t take a disastrous prediction to make that happen. All it takes is you to either make a change or affect a change in someone else. You CAN make a difference!
Now, just in case you’re wondering why I don’t buy in to these types of apocalyptic predictions, it’s because the Bible clearly states that no one, not even the angels or Jesus Christ himself, knows the hour when Christ will return. Only God knows. (Refer to Matthew 24:36 and Mark 13:32). For me, it’s that simple.
Of course, I may just wait a few days to cut the lawn. After all, no use wasting my time. So, as I hum that tune, “It’s the End of the World as We Know It,” I feel fine.
Jean
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