Remembrance and Honor

The image above pictures a woman laying at the grave of a fallen soldier. The text below the image reads: Memorial Day – In case you thought it was national barbeque day.

For those of us in the United States, today is the unofficial beginning of summer, but it’s also a much more important holiday. Today is the day that we honor those who gave their lives in the service of protecting our country.

As a person with a disability, I have a particular respect for those who serve. When I turned eighteen, I got countless calls from the Marines and Navy wanting me to enlist. {Of course, they were less keen when I explained that I was in a wheelchair. I took it as a sign that service in that way was not part of what God wanted for me.] My church has members whose family are active-duty service members or who have served themselves. I have family who served, too.

Yesterday, my church shared a video in honor of Memorial Day, and it provided a scripture I’d never thought of in regard to this holiday.

Give to everyone what you owe them: If you owe taxes, pay taxes; if revenue, then revenue; if respect, then respect; if honor, then honor.

Romans 13:7 (New International Version)

I can’t think of any human who deserves honor as much as those who protect and serve us. They risk injury and death to make sure we are safe and free. As someone who can’t serve, I have a greater respect for those who can. So today, I pray for the families of the fallen. I look forward to the day there will be no more war.

If you live in the U.S. how are you celebrating Memorial Day? I’d love to hear your traditions