I’m
proud to introduce my guest blogger today – my husband Wayne - who started
writing inspirational messages several months ago. I love what he wrote about
Memorial Day and I think you will too.
Both
deal with life and death. One day we honor, one we celebrate.
One day, lives were taken by another, on the other, life was given for
all “others.”
Memorial Day - those we honor who lost their lives
to defend our liberty and Easter, celebration day, when Jesus gave His life to
bring new life to heaven, to those in Christ; to free all from death forever,
whatever. Because of Easter we have the hope of again seeing loved ones
lost for now, perhaps in war. But Jesus turned death to eternal living with Him
and all believers.
Most of our military leaders acknowledge “War is
Hell”. We honor our war dead. But even afterwards, some men and
women who survive have difficulty because of the effects of war. A good
friend of ours was turned into a “killing machine” by war. He hated and loved
to kill the enemy, actually looked forward to it, his heart was filled with
hate. “A hating and killing machine." Later God turned him into a
“loving machine”. Instead of killing others, he saved others by becoming a
pastor. God can change hearts from hate to love. There are no enemies in church
pews.
Yes, God can change us into war heroes.
Memorial Day is filled with war movies on TV. “Sargent York” and “Hacksaw
Ridge” are two of our favorites. In Sargent York, God took a man who was
a “drink and devil guy” into a “guts and glory” guy. Through his gallant
exploits, he became the most decorated soldier of World War II. Be sure to see
it if you haven’t. A classic.
“Hacksaw Ridge,” a recent film, will bring tears,
watch out. A man, Desmond Doss, who didn’t believe in war, in taking
lives, a man of great faith, joined up to become a medic, to save lives.
He never carried a gun, was disliked by most because of his disbelief in
war, his love of God, and his attitude toward killing. Yet he became a giant
among all men. In one day and through the night, he saved 75 of his men
from sure death by carrying them, dragging his wounded comrades to safety
though wounded himself and under constant enemy fire. They enemy tried to kill
him but couldn’t. He even aided one of the enemy inspired by courage,
determination, and God. His only prayer, “Let me save just one more”.
Don’t miss it, it’s something very special.
I read that at the end of WWII, a German lady
sought employment from an American woman. In finding out the women was
German, she questioned hiring her, a women of the enemy. When she hesitated the
German replied, “I know your thoughts madam, but you see, ”We All Shed The Same
Tears”. Yes, we all shed the same tears!
And those silent teardrops were shared by the
South when the news of Lee’s surrender came. “We all shed the same
tears.” Visiting the cemetery at Normandy in France, we were blessed reading
the epitaphs of the thousands buried there, the thoughts on the graves from
loved ones, similar their love for a husband, brother, friend, it was a very
touching scene. And the peace and beauty at this place of honor was
striking, like a garden of flowers and love just below heaven itself.
We then visited the cemetery of the fallen German
lads near by. Guess what? It was the same in many ways, with love
poured out from German families on the gravestones of their loved ones. YES,“
we all shed the same tears”
When Helen Keller was asked what she wanted most
in life, she replied: “I want people in the world to live like brothers and
sisters.” Her thoughts were not of herself, what she never, had, but of
others. Her loving soul had grown out of her shell of blindness,
deafness, and dumbness to think about others. Only God can do that!!
“Loving, merciful Father, take our little loves
and enlarge them into Your loves. Our sympathies this day and expand them
into Your sympathies. As we will never forget those who gave their lives
for our great country, we will also never forget Jesus who gave His Life for
us, and that brings to us tears of love and joy. Our thanks doesn’t seem
enough!! Amen WTR
Be devoted to one another in love.
Honor one another above yourselves.
Thank you Circlemaker Prayer Team!
We gifted 508 children’s ebooks Tommy Smurlee and Dunster’s Camp of Mystery
and Adventures this past month for children ages 9 and up and almost 200 Soaring As A Parent ebooks went to
places as far away as Japan and the Netherlands.
The ladies I met at my five speaking engagements
In Madison, Lodi, Richland Center and Monroe were delightful. Two expressed a
desire to become Christians! In June I’ll be in Freeport, IL for a Christian Women's Connection event.
I had fun making pies and filling decorative planters for our Fontana Garden Club Memorial Weekend fundraiser to benefit our community. The gals work so hard to raise money for local scholarships. I'm privileged to participate.
May every day be filled with honor for those we love
and those who selflessly serve others.
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