Today is a great day. Kenya doesn't have to work. I don't have to am not going to do any work. Instead, we're gonna fire up the barbecue grill, cook some burgers, hot dogs, play outside with the kids and just relax. Hopefully, you'll have a relaxing day too.
But, even though this is a "free" and fun day for my family and lots of others, there are many families that will be mourning and remembering loved ones who have died while serving our Country. For some, Memorial Day evokes mixed emotions--feelings of pride, coupled with sadness for their enormous loss.
Though I've never lost anyone close to me due to the perils of war, my heart still goes out to those who have. As a mom, I can't imagine what it must be like to lose a child; as a sister, I can't fathom the pain of losing a sibling; as a wife, I can't grasp the deep agony of losing a husband. As a friend, I can't know the kind of void the death of a close companion creates.
But someone knows that excruciating pain and emptiness all too well.
For them, today is not a day of celebration, light-hearted conversation, or joyous fellowship; rather, a day of solemn remembrance and re-opening of old wounds.
So, even if you don't personally know of anyone who has died at war, still, take time to say a quiet prayer for someone else today. That doesn't mean you can't have a great time and enjoy family, friends, and fellowship. It simply means, you and I have to be compassionate and mindful of others.
I know that, if we haven't been through it, we can't fully understand the real intensity of the pain in such a sensitive area, but we can pray. We can sympathize. We can allow ourselves to feel and be touched by the infirmities of others. "Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep" (Romans 12:15).
You know, I never want to get to the point where I'm not affected by the pain of others, just because everything is OK in my world. I don't want to be selfish and so "me-centered," that the unfortunate plight of others doesn't move me at all.
I want to care.
I know you do too.
I always want to be aware that none of us is exempt from tragedy, pain, and loss. It's an inescapable part of our human existence. That's why, when all is well with us, we must remember to uphold those who happen to be in the midst of a storm. After all, we have no way of knowing when we will need someone to lean on, to comfort and pray for us in our time of need!
*Note: The yellow ribbon you see posted is symbolic of the families waiting for the return of military troops who are temporarily unable to come home. Pray for our troops!
As always, thanks for reading, and until next time...may you be empowered to prosper!
Dianna Hobbs
www.eewmagazine.com
