Remember

St Paul said, “Pay to all what is owed to them; …respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed” (ESV Romans 13:7). We owe respect and honor to the men and women who, to quote Abraham Lincoln, “…laid so costly a sacrifice upon the altar of freedom” (Letter to Mrs. Bixby of Massachusetts who lost five sons in the Civil War). Memorial Day is such a time to pay that respect and honor owed. 

Whether your remembrance of Memorial Day is tempered by the pain of personal lose or stirred by the patriotism of our brave young in uniform, it falls to every American to remember with gratitude, respect, and honor those killed in the line of duty.

In days of old, Decoration Day, as Memorial Day was originally called, was a time to decorate the graves of the fallen with flags and flowers. It was a day to honor our heroes. 

Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (ESV John 15:13). That is what our military dead have done. They gave their all in service to God and country so that you could have the freedoms which you enjoy. They gave their lives so that you could live yours.

This Memorial Day weekend, take time for prayerful reflection. Pay what is owed. Today, God’s Family at Grace Lutheran will remember our heroes through song, and prayer. Join us! God bless you in your remembrance!