Gratitude for our Military

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2 Timothy 2:3,4  Join with me in suffering, like a  soldier of Christ Jesus. No one serving as  a soldier gets entangled in civilian affairs, but rather tries to please his commanding officer.   (NIV)

John 15:13      Greater love has no one than this: than to lay down one’s life for one’ friends.

Today is July 4.  Our country’s Independence Day.  A time of summer celebrations, get-togethers, and fireworks.  But how many remember the reason we should be truly celebrating and honoring our military who have fought and sometimes died for our freedoms.  For our independence.  Ours is one of the most blessed countries in the world.  In large part due to our military and their efforts to keep our freedoms.

Our military have served under “real” fireworks–cannons, machine guns, rifles and bombs and more weapons of mass destruction.  I hope we take the time to say a genuine thanks for what these men and women and their families have given to ensure our independence, our freedom.   These men and women are educated and trained in their military jobs to go and serve to keep our country free.   They are separated oftentimes from many of the blessings that we enjoy  daily–and sometimes just take for granted.

Just as a quick for instance, do you think about electricity when you flip a switch?  What about running water when you want a drink, flush the toilet, take a shower?  Pretty much we take these things as a given, a commonplace occurrence.  Until something breaks.

But often our military are sent to places that run on generators, they are treating the water to make it drinkable and usable.  Many are coming home scarred, with loss of limbs, part of faces, eyes, etc,  wounded on the outside and inside.  Yet they have given, donated, SACRIFICED  a portion of their lives so we can enjoy the privileges this country offers.

My eldest son spent some time in Iraq working as a civilian a few years ago.  He lived in a tent and dealt with the constant sand, heat and discomforts.  There were bombings nearby, and it was not a place he ever totally relaxed.  His job was not to find and disable mine fields, be on patrol and risk a bombing,  or sniper shootings, or to deal with precious children who have bombs strapped to them and are sacrificed in the name of Allah.  But he worked with people whose jobs did put them in more direct contact with these dangers.

Those are atrocities we usually do not have to deal with because of our military.  And no, I will never forget 9-11-01, or  the Boston bombings when these terrorists attacked us. Yet I want us to always remember, especially on days when we can honor our military, our freedoms, at their cost.  Enjoy your Independence Day celebrations.  But please remember there are many of our military who are not able to celebrate this day of freedom today.  Because they are off working that we can enjoy ours.              

 

Our military deserve our gratitude.  They are another blessing this country offers.

May God keep you each safe.

One of Mybellaviews