THANKFUL

Chatting with Jesus
Monday, November 11, 2024

Lord, we owe them much gratitude. From the humble origins of our great Republic, millions have put their lives on hold to answer the call to serve our country. Some joined the ranks of the military willingly, while others might have been drafted. But they answered when called.

I think of my family. In1944, my Dad, barely 19, served as a WWII era Marine. He remained stateside, for which I am grateful. Otherwise, I might not be here had he fought the Empire of Japan, island hopping in the Pacific. My uncle, just a fresh 18-year-old, deployed to Fortress Europe as the Allies were mopping up the Nazis, defeating Hitler. Once the bloodshed ceased, these boys, now hastily transformed into fighting machines, returned and started new lives and families.

But I must humbly and prayerfully acknowledge the sacrifices of the thousands of brave men and women who paid the ultimate price during those horrific war years. The machines of war that ended their lives ended generations that will never be born. We mourn the doctors, teachers, phenomenal moms and dads who will never be with us. Maybe the cure for cancer perished when that brave soul was cut down by enemy fire. Possibly the vaccine formula for COVID went down in a B17 over Germany. Did the godly influence on a child who would one day proclaim the gospel to a divided country go down with the crew of the USS Indianapolis? We will never know.

But peace is fleeting. Young folks again answered the call of freedom. Korea, Viet Nam, Serbia, Kosovo, the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, sub-Sahara Africa, wherever people are oppressed, men and women answered the call of freedom.

To all the Veterans, a sincere thank you. You deserve the best. May God richly bless each one. Amen, Jesus.