To Whom Honor Is Due........Monday

Waiting to board a Southwest Airlines flight, an announcement invited those serving in the military to board with the first group of passengers. Tears come to my eyes whenever I hear military personnel being recognized or honored. In the busyness of our culture and the divisiveness of our political conversations, as a nation, we don’t always love our Veterans. But the people who choose to serve our country in the military deserve our appreciation all year long.

It feels a little awkward to me to say thank you when I see a stranger in their military uniform. I want to speak and thank them but I worry that they’ll think I am weird. Proof that some parts of high school insecurity are with me yet! But personal reports and YouTube videos prove that these men and women appreciate our acknowledgement. Thanks to the efforts of many groups, it has become easier than ever to show our thanks and support to American troops. The USO, Blue Star Moms, Adopt a US Soldier, are just a few organizations making it possible for us to show our appreciation not just on Veteran’s Day but all year long. I typed “show USA troops your support” in a search engine and found a long list of groups doing their part to help those of us at home connect with active duty personnel. There is even a Facebook page where we can leave appreciation messages for the troops in harm’s way.  https://www.facebook.com/USMilitary

Some years ago, I watched 200 soldiers graduate from a boot camp. We all applauded their success, but only half of them had someone in the stands taking pictures and smiling for them. Later during my son’s deployment, as I filled a care package, I thought about the soldiers who for one reason or another don’t have someone here at home sending them a box of goodies. Reminders which show that someone cares about them and thanks them for choosing to serve our country by doing what is asked of them. So I doubled up on sunscreen, toothbrushes and other sundry items and tripled the candy supply for my son to share.

I don’t like war and I wish there could be world peace. But since there will always be someone who wants what doesn’t belong to them and who would abuse and misuse nations we will always need a dedicated group of individuals who are willing to do whatever it takes to protect our country, defend the defenseless, and help those in trouble all over the world.

You will be hearing of wars and rumors of wars.

 See that you are not frightened,

for those things must take place,

but that is not yet the end.

Matthew 24:6

(NASB)

Render to all men

their dues.

[Pay] taxes to whom

taxes are due,

 revenue to whom

revenue is due,

respect to whom

respect is due,

 and honor to whom

 honor is due.. 

Romans 13:7 

Dear Lord, please help me to remember to pray for and honor those who would die for this nation and therefore me. It is easy for me to forget there are some who would take over this country if they could. Please protect all those who are in harm’s way. Give them wisdom, alertness and insight before each step. Please protect them from harm, deliver them from evil and temptation. In Jesus name, amen.

Written by Mary M. Wilkins

                      American Airman performed by Max Impact-The USAF Band