America's Memorial Day

Sometimes Americans confuse Memorial Day with Veterans' Day. But that's OK. 

On both holidays those who died serving their country are remembered and honored. Although the phrase is becoming or has become cliché, we should understand why "freedom is not free." In the end it takes an individual working in concert with other patriots to defend us from harm.

Wouldn't it be wonderful if there were no wars to fight? Wouldn't it be wonderful if we had no need for a national defense of any sort? Yes, it would be wonderful, but the world does not operate that way.

Not all those who have died protecting their fellow citizens were military. Many who have died for our freedom never intended to get themselves involved in a situation which denied them life and breath. But that's the way the world operates sometimes. It seems unfair for any person who might wander into harm's way and lose their life to protect the rest of us.

All of us should take time to reflect on how life works and what might even be required of us. None of us elected to be born - we did not create ourselves. Nonetheless we are the living. Perhaps we should renew our minds and ask questions about how to live in the reality we find ourselves. And then uncover what life means - life's purpose and our daily response.

Today, Memorial Day 2015, we remember and give thanks for those who gave their lives for us and for our freedom. And as we renew our minds and mine through our thoughts, and repossess our understanding of the gift of life, let us reconcile ourselves with our Creator who is the alpha and omega of our existence.