Well, we’re at the end of the three day Memorial Day week-end and it’s been a long three days. Janet and I have finished working in the yard and getting things ready for company next week-end. The lawn furniture is out, mulch is done, flowers are planted, the grill is ready for the season and the garage has had its spring cleaning. No, we didn’t do all that this week-end, but as I sit here tonight, I can relax knowing that all is done; but I can also already tell that I’m getting my game face on for the week.
Several out of the ordinary things have also happened. One of our television sets stopped working so Andrew was kind enough to take us shopping for a new one. He even got everything moved and installed so we are good to go. And one of our great father/son events happened yesterday as well. Since he was a little boy, Andrew and I have spent race day together listening to the Indy 500 on a small transistor radio I have had since I was 17 or so. We don’t even have to talk about getting together – it’s something we just do, year after year after year…
Of course, I put the flags up in the front and back of the house – what a reminder of the beginning of summer when all the kids are finishing school and getting ready for the summer. Ironically, during one of the errands I ran this afternoon, everything in the store was for sale except the American flags that were appropriately marked, “American flags not for sale.”
Another reminder of Memorial Day was walking around the side of the house to see the iris. I always worked in our family iris bed on as a boy and this week-end was no exception as the memories came flooding back. And at breakfast, Janet and I were remembering when we were young and we used to decorate our bikes for the Memorial Day parade down Longwood Drive. All fond memories. Many families go to cemeteries and put flowers or flags on the graves of deceased family members. And all of us should remember that this day is a reminder of all members of the Armed Services who have given the ultimate sacrifice for this country. As someone on Facebook said earlier today, “Land of the free because of the brave…”
I have continued to think about Memorial Day throughout the week-end. And it occurs to me that each time I think about the day, I can’t help but link it to prayer. At the Indy 500, the invocation mentioned the troops and safety and a grateful nation for all those who gave their lives for this country. And our Pledge of Allegiance mentions, “One nation under God…” While the liberals are trying to unbundle God from the country, it just can’t be done. From the Declaration of Independence to the images of churches in the Capitol Building in Washington – most believers just fundamentally associate the US with God – and we take comfort in the fact that we pray to God and ask for His divine guidance in the administration of this great nation.
The verse for this evening is Psalm 33:12, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance.” My encouragement this evening is to continue to petition God to keep this nation in the forefront of His thoughts. We are a nation in need of God – and a re-dedication to His commandments and His wish for our lives. My prayer is that you will continue to thank God for this nation and for all the people who have given their lives to make sure that we live in a free country – under God. Have a great day in the Lord, grace and peace…