Reflections from Memorial Day

What does Memorial Day have to do with children? As heroes for this country laid down their lives, we must also be brave to keep our freedoms at home for which they fought. We must understand what our freedoms are to exert them in order to keep them: freedom of speech, freedom to live out our religion in our everyday lives, a free press, freedom to peacefully assemble, the right to petition our government, the right to elect those who represent us through fair and transparent elections, the right of each of us to live, expect justice, pursue happiness, and enjoy liberty. These are not just ideals to which we aspire but necessary tenets by which we live and govern, and teach our children. https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs

The heroes who laid down their lives for our country reflect and remind of the ultimate sacrifice by the ultimate Hero of the ages who laid down His own life, inviting each of us individually to ultimate freedom. "It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery." (Galatians 5:1) For those of us who accept Jesus into our hearts to govern us, we are no longer a slave to fear, to men, or to law which is a tutor intended for those who do not have God's law of love written in their hearts. (Galatians 3, 1 Timothy 1)

We, too, lay down our own lives for these children, for those who come after us, to enjoy life and liberty. We are fighting for them with the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God. We introduce others to the truth that sets us free. Jesus said, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except by Me." (John 14:6) In our struggle for liberty and justice for all, some battles may be lost along the way, but the war must be won for these precious children.

Suggested reading: Colossians 2