Stones of Remembrance

"No duty is more urgent than that of returning thanks." ~ James Allen, British writer & philosopher

Sacrifice, honor, dignity, heroism, courage- all words to describe the meaning of today's recognition. Men and women who fought for our country's freedom so that you and I could freely worship, freely speak, freely work and live. We wake up every morning and have endless choices, with no one determining our paths. I can freely write this blog because of them. You can freely read this blog because of them. There isn't enough gratitude.

Most of us have not lived in a time or place where we have experienced war firsthand, so this kind of heroism honored today is something we know little about. But we may know someone who did, or who served in some capacity to fight and maintain that freedom, and we talk about them today to keep their stories fresh and honor their memories..

Memories - they keep us connected to the ones we love and give their lives meaning. Their memories shape who we are, what we are about, and how we live our lives today. They have the power to propel us forward into action, reassure us, and give us a quiet confidence.

The heroes held in remembrance today demonstrated a courageous love within themselves that is deeper than most of us can imagine. We take part today in traditions to connect us to those that have sacrificed for us and our country's freedom. And we should.

What in a human enables them to lay down their life for others? Remember what Jesus did- His act of self-sacrifice defines the very meaning of love and heroism-

"By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down

our lives for the brothers." 1 John 3:16

"Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

John 15:13

The Bible is a big love letter of remembrance that God sent us so we will always know His great Love for us and how to know Him more intimately.

So do we also have in our daily lives activities that help us remember Christ's sacrifice for our freedom from eternal damnation? After Moses died, the Lord commanded Joshua (Josh 4:1-9) to have his men put up stones from the Jordan as a reminder of how He rescued them with His miraculous power and was faithful in providing for them.

What stones of remembrance do we have in our lives of what Jesus has done for us? Let those stones help us to keep fresh in our memory the power He has in our lives to continue working out His great plan in us.

✙ Dear Heavenly Father,

Today we remember those who laid down their lives for their others and showed the greatest love possible. It is an act You placed in them that reflects what You did for all of us. Help us to place stones of remembrance in our lives that keep that gesture of Love fresh so we can reflect You to others and live our lives in Your power. Amen.

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