“Freedom is not free”. A popular idiom on days like today. It is Veterans Day. Originally, Armistice Day. A day to celebrate the peace achieved at the end of the “War to End All Wars” – WWI. This changed in 1954 when the powers-that-be recognized that the world was not only still on fire – but flaming up almost constantly somewhere. It is, however, one of the few national holidays that is still celebrated on its original date.
“A Mrs. Powel of Philadelphia asked Benjamin Franklin, “Well, Doctor, what have we got, a republic or a monarchy?” With no hesitation whatsoever, Franklin responded, “A republic, if you can keep it.”
200 years later, the republic still stands – mostly thanks to the veterans who continually stood in the gap with only their “sacred honor” as their shield when the homeland was threatened. Growing up in the post WWII era, the veterans of WWII were the mentoring generation of my own. They were my teachers, church leaders, store owners, factory workers, community leaders. They were the people I wanted to be when I grew up.
“The price of freedom is eternal vigilance.”~President Thomas Jefferson
It is my hope that as our nation heals from this last election cycle, which – sad to say – was a different type of war, we will look to our Veterans for leadership. They understand sacrifice. They understand that freedom is not on any level free. They understand what it takes to defend a republic. They understand “sacred honor” to the depth of their core.
“I consider it an indispensible duty to close this last solemn act of my official life by commending the interests of our dearest country to the protection of Almighty God and those who have the superintendence of them into his Holy keeping.”~General George Washington at Valley Forge
God bless our Veterans.
1942 Daily Ration: Read: 1 Corinthians 10:23-33
” ‘Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.’~1 Cor 10:31
“Real religion is not something we can put off and on like our Sunday clothes It is something that is mixed in with life itself in all its contacts and concerns The faith we hold is something that should hold us.
“Life is made up mostly of monotonies, doing same thing over and over again. And the really important work is done upon these humbler levels. It is in our life’s simplicities, not alone its splendors, we should think of the glory of God.
“How do e treat our friends? How do we conduct ourselves before the eyes of little children? How do we go about the day’s routine? How do we stand up against the head winds, or to what are quite as perilous, sunshine and gentle breezes?
“After a few years it will not matter whether we ruled an army or an industry. What will matter then, eternally, is whether we ruled our spirit and were faithful in the little ways of life and found God’s glory in the commonplaces of the earth.
“Prayer: O God, all-wise and al-patient, who hast warned us not to despise the day of small things, give us a faithful mind and a contented spirit in the daily grind of life, to serve thee bravely; to the glory of Christ. Amen.” [google images]
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