By this we know love, that He laid down His life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.
I’m a “military brat”, more specifically and “air force brat”. I was raised moving often from one military base to another. My father was in the Military until just after I graduated High School. Growing up I never really thought about, or understood, what it meant to be in a military family. It all seemed normal to me, as if my dad had a job at some company somewhere. When I was young, he often was sent TDY which meant he was sent to another location temporarily. One of the locations he was sent to was Vietnam, during the war.
After I graduated high school, and many years of distance then reconnecting, I finally understood what it meant to be part of a military family. I finally understood that my dad did not have an ordinary job like most people. He was part of something far greater, and it was more than just a job. I’m extremely grateful my father came home from Vietnam, so many others did not. That is what Memorial Day is about. Those who gave their all for the freedom of all, not just Americans.
Just like how I did not fully understand about my father being in the air force, many of us do not understand the true meaning of giving our all for the sake of freedom, for the sake of others. We live in a world that has become more and more selfish, thinking only of the self, and not the others. We are all self-centered instead of being other-centered. I have a better understanding of growing up with my father being in the military now, and the cost so many pay being in the military, after learning more about my Heavenly Father.
I have spent the last decade or so studying, learning, and growing my relationship with my Heavenly Father. Because of this process, I have learned more about my human father and grown a relationship with him as well. Spending time learning and understanding about God’s plan of Salvation has had an effect on many more parts of my life than just knowing Him. It has changed my heart and opened my eyes to see so much more than I ever did before about this world and this life.
Today, remember those who gave their all for our freedom and the freedom of all. Also remember, Jesus gave His all for each of us so we could live with Him in His Kingdom for eternity. Thank you to all those who made the ultimate sacrifice here on this world. Thank you, Jesus, for paying the price so I can thank them in your Kingdom.