No Greater Love Than This....

No Greater Love Than This....

Often we take for granted the freedoms we have each day. It ends up being one of those cases where, ‘You don’t know what you have until it’s gone.’

Today, I wanted to take a few moments to honor those who take care of our country. At times, this seems to be a thankless job. There are men and women fighting even at this very moment for the freedoms of those around them. Why do they do this? The reasons vary as much as the personalities and positions that they hold. If you get the chance, after you thank them, consider asking them why they do it. You may be surprised by their answer.

Whenever I think of our military, there is one verse that always comes to mind. It’s John 15:13: ‘Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.’ The men and women of our military – past and present – do this very thing. They lay down their lives every day. It upsets me beyond words when they get disrespected by sometimes even their own families, because ‘they weren’t there’ for certain things. Did they ever consider the fact that they were doing something even more important? The men and women who form our military should be regarded with the utmost respect, regardless of their position. They have voluntarily placed themselves in a position of potential danger for their fellow countrymen and women.

I ran across the photo below quite some time ago, and I thought I would share it with you guys. Our military are still fighting today and most of the time without what they need. Please read the photo below and remember them in your prayers daily – they need it! 

“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”

 Until They All Come Home

Foundations

 

Foundations

Certain characteristics are instilled within us from birth. Given to us by those who we chose as friends and from the family to which we are born. This foundation is the filter through which we see the world. Inevitably, there are rocks and pebbles, sometimes even boulders within the foundation that we need to work out or our lives will be out of balance. Often we need a little assistance in finding these. Sometimes we know they are there and are not sure how to get them out of the foundation. 

Over the years, I have been presented, and even sometimes thrown into, situations where my innermost core and beliefs were challenged. Had I not already discovered where my strength was, I may well not be here today. 

My initial foundation was not a solid one in life. As a matter of fact, it was chaotic and often lived in survival mode. It took me a while to find my strength. For the longest time, I thought I was on my own. This was a very lonely place to be. Granted, I had friends, but I was still missing something. It wasn't until college that I found what was missing. It was God.

Now, my life wasn't much better until the recent years, but I survived it by relying on God for my strength. When I was in the middle of often dangerous situations, I would retreat to the peaceful presence of God - who allowed me to not only pull through, but do so even stronger than when I started.

The reason for this blog is to encourage those who feel lonely. It is to show you that you are not alone. It is also to reassure those who are in the midst of a struggle, that God can show you the way through. He can lift you up and guide you through, all you have to do is ask. 

Now, it may not be easy, but it will be worth it. Think of the caterpillar, who in one phase of their life goes into a cocoon. The caterpillar my feel that they are dying, but after a time of rugged transformation, they emerge a gorgeous butterfly. While the caterpillar could only crawl on the ground...the butterfly has the freedom to fly through the air.

What does your foundation look like? Do you need to clean out any pebbles or rocks so it is level? Who is helping you build? Are they helping or hindering? Where is your source of strength?

What lies before you and what lies behind you, is nothing compared to what lies within you.

Sorrow looks back.

Worry looks around.

Faith looks ahead.

May your faith keep you strong and full of hope.