I hope that everyone is enjoying their Memorial Day weekend. While many of you are simply enjoying an extra day off work, a mini-vacation, or just hanging out with your family, are you thinking about WHY you have this extra time? This is one of those holidays that come due to great sacrifice.
We celebrate Memorial Day as a remembrace of our military members that literally gave their lives for this country. It requires death. The holiday began after the Civil War as a way to remember the Union soldiers that gave their life. After World War I it was expanded to remember and recognize ANY American military member who paid the ultimate price during a war. I can't imagine being willing to give your life as a sacrifice for so many that you don't know, many of whom do not care or appreciate the gift that they have given us.
In some ways, they are Christ like. Christ also gave his life as a sacrifice. Many still do not care or appreciate the ultimate gift that he gave for us. Like our military, he died to protect us, to keep us safe from harm, to provide us with the opportunity for freedom.
So today, while you are cooking out, take a moment to thank God for the men and women who cared enough to sacrifice themselves for you. Also, remember who made the ultimate sacrifice, the person who loved you enough to want to spend eternity with you. He made today, rejoice and be glad that He loves you and wants to spend forever with you!
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