On This Memorial Day :: For The Heroes And Those Who Love Them

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If looks could kill, she vaporized me on the spot.

In spite of her laser beam pupils boring into me, I kept my voice level. Calmly and gently, I addressed my concerns with her child’s behavior towards my son, behavior my husband and I believed akin to bullying. She laughed in response, only taking her eyes off me to throw them skyward in an exaggerated roll. Incredulous, she informed me of her knowledge that my husband was in the military, so if any child around here acted like a bully, it was mine. When I asked her to explain what she meant, she crossed her arms and shot words like bullets, listing a litany of lifestyle and discipline habits associated with “soldiers in the military.”  It soon became apparent she believed we ran our household boot camp style, spitting out tyrannical little bully children in the process.

When I relayed the above events to my husband, he was none too happy no positive resolution to our son’s situation could be found. But in regards to the other mother’s opinion of the military, he encouraged me to make peace with this truth:

Sacrifice is part of the job, and losing the good opinion of a few misguided people isn’t the biggest price.

So many pay a higher price by sacrificing everything.

”There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”  ~John 15:13

We only have to look from one nail-pierced hand to the other to see the God-created rhythm of sacrifice for a greater good. It’s true: all good things come at a cost, all things that require service require sacrifice. So brave men and women serve voluntarily so you and I can live abundantly, singing freedom’s song.

To all the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine, and Coast Guard servicemen and women, we at (in)courage offer a hearty standing ovation as gratitude for your selfless service. You are brave heroes. You give so much and expect so little. It does not go unnoticed.

To all those family members of our military, we at (in)courage offer you a seat of honor at our table. You are fierce, courageous, generous, strong, flexible while unwavering. You are brave heroes, too. Thank you for all you do behind the scenes.

And to those families of the fallen, may you feel Jesus close to you on this Memorial Day and always. May you feel loved mightily by the One who knows the sting of loss Himself, the One who holds you in the palm of His hand and in the depths of His heart.

We lift you up today.

And we say thank you.