Memorial Day 2017

'You are a forgiving God, gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love.' -- Nehemiah 9:17

We have an America that we can be proud of, despite all the social issues, the crime and the financial woes. We have not only our history, but our present, and our future ahead of us. We who believe in the original tenants of the founding fathers will continue to do so. And we will stand for what we believe to be right and good.

We have a military that no other country can rival. Oh, there may be some pomp and circumstance in uniforms and marching that may show us up now and then, but in the things that matter, no. No one can match it. Our men and women in uniform are dedicated, they love their country, and they will die to defend it.

That is why we have Memorial Day. It is the day set aside to remember those who paid the ultimate sacrifice, who went to war or simply to serve and did not return the way they went. Many have never returned, but lie in unmarked graves in countries far away. But the memories remain, the heartaches are still present, along with the great pride in those that have been lost.

In some neighborhoods, and even cities and towns, flying our flag is prohibited or restricted. This is a travesty. Our flag should be flown by whoever wants to fly it, wherever they wish to do so, and on any day, week, month, year they wish to display it. It is our right to do so. People have died for our flag, for all it represents. 

I am honored to be a military mom. I will not ever be ashamed of that. I will ever be proud of my two boys, and the freedoms they both have fought for. While none of us like war, and do not ever want to take someone else's life, it is sometimes necessary to preserve our way of life, our very freedoms that make our country a place people want to be. 

So today, do like me, and remember those who gave everything for our freedom. They gave because they believed in the cause. I am proud of each and every one of them. And my prayer is that their families understand the honor each man and woman is afforded by Americans who understand that freedom is not free, a price must be paid, and their loved ones who paid it are appreciated and honored forevermore. 

In Nehemiah's day, he was distressed because of the damage caused by the fall of Jerusalem. He believed in and loved his home, and he trusted God to restore it. This took faith on his part, to trust God, to ask his king to allow him to travel to Jerusalem to look into the situation, and to take a stand, and encourage others to do so as well, as enemies came against them continually. But the city was rebuilt, the walls were erected, and the people were protected once again.  Because God is a gracious God. Always.

Enjoy your Memorial Day. And remember...always remember.

Blessings!

Will You Vote?

I have very definite ideas about what our country should be, who our leaders should be, and how we as American citizens behave. Yes, I am setting myself up here to be a laughing stock, a clown, an idiot, even. But I feel the need to say this: VOTE!

If you don't vote, you are not a true patriot, no matter your party. If you don't vote, you don't have a true right to criticize, or complain, or cry out. If you don't vote, your voice will indeed not be heard. If you don't vote, you more or less are saying, 'Here, dogs, take the crumbs.'

Why would you not want to vote? There are countries all over this world where people do not have that right. They WANT to vote, but cannot. Then there are those other countries, again, all over the world, who do have a voting system, but it is corrupt. Their vote either doesn't count at all, or they are placing themselves and their families in physical or political danger if they vote the way they really wish.

So since we have this option here in the good ole U S of A, why don't more people take advantage of it? 'I'm too busy for that', or 'I don't understand politics', or even, 'I don't know the issues, and besides, there isn't anyone on the ballot I want to vote for anyway.' All are sorry, sorry excuses. So sad, for a free country, one that won and has kept it's freedom because of the shedding of blood, and, wow, because we vote!

I am not an intellectual, not by any means. But I care. I can read. I can listen. I can compare and investigate. I can discuss with family and friends. I can discern right from wrong, good from bad, freedom from political oppression.

If we do not stand up as citizens, and vote based on our knowledge and our care and compassion for our country and our people, then we are kissing our freedom goodbye. We can't put the entire burden of our freedom on our military. We, here at home, also have a responsibility to participate in our government and it's operations. If we don't, we will see what we have been seeing the past nearly four years...basic freedoms, financial stability, and our sense of security slip, slipping away. Very quickly.

Whether you agree with me or not, think about it. Please! Give it some thought, take a look at who is running, what their values and thoughts are, their vision, and compare it to what yours are, and what you think would be right and good for the country. Then vote. Rearrange your schedule....it's just one day, and it only takes a few minutes. The options are many...check with your local government officials about early voting, about polling places and times. You may find it is much easier than you think.

America is free. It is beautiful. It is ours. Don't let that change simply because of laziness, or because you don't think you can make a difference. All of us together can, and, I pray, will.

'One nation, under God, with liberty and justice for all.' The Pledge of Allegiance. Most of us learned it in grade school. All of us should remember it now. God brought this country into existence. He can take it out as well. Let's show Him what we think of His grace, His freedom, His blessings on our people, and our country.

VOTE!

Blessings!