The Ultimate Sacrifice Day #11 of Thankfulness

Fancy pants dining. 

It's what they do. 

All these kids. 

From the time they were little. 

Aunt Clara's china being used. 

The candle light glowing. 

It's in those moments I see the table full. 

All the seats occupied. 

The laughter and joy around the farmhouse table. 

Things have changed. 

So much. 

One space remains empty; forever. 

The future, here on this earth, not mine to know. 

I know he was dedicated. 

Committed. 

He wanted to serve this country with his life. 

 The eleventh hour on the eleventh day of the eleventh month. 

We celebrate today because of the lives given. 

Sacrificed for our freedom. 

For men and woman who selflessly stand so we can sleep. 

Elijah would have made an amazing marine. 

But God called him home. 

His work finished. 

For those of us left- we still have work to do. 

We honor these men and woman because of the life give for us. 

The ultimate sacrifice was made on our behalf as One walked willingly to the cross.
He gave. . .all.
So that we may be free.
A symbol.
An example.
For God and Country.

~ 30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

Veteran's Day

a grandfather and uncles who served this country

my dad who gave to serve

Harold, a family friend who served and influenced 

our son Elijah so much

those men and woman who have pledged to protect and

 serve our country

the families of those men and woman -thank you 

a son who never wavered in his desire to serve

those that came alongside of Elijah as he trained and prepared

For the glimpses of grace along this journey

 a flag flown over Parris Island on Elijah's birthday- 
the day he would have left for boot camp
 a gift of the Marine Flag

 an enlisted Marine who knew Elijah 
and came to the door to meet this grieving mama- 
who returned from boot camp and brought a copy of his
 boot camp memory book 
the extended warmth and sunshine this fall
 backyard prayer
grace for each day
my farmers family that shows how to live out this grace each day
 my family and their unending love and support- and laughter

My cousin posted this picture for me




Thank you to all for serving. 
We owe you a debt of gratitude. 

John 15:3
Greater love has no one than this:
 to lay down one's life for one's friends.


Here is a video clip of Marines singing, 
"Days of Elijah"

Raising My Ebenezer

The smell intoxicating. 

I never knew how much those lilacs would come to mean to me. 

The years visiting my mother and father in law's grave. 

Breathing the deep scent.

 Now as I sit here at my sons grave, the tears flow and the ache gnaws  away; 

the heady scent is refreshing; comforting. 

For each moment needs to be turned to Praise. 

Because we are a people created to praise. 

To give glory and honor to the One who created all. 

It's strange to sit at your sons grave, in a century old cemetery and seek praise. 

But that's what I do. 

I give praise and thanks in the middle of the pain. 

Praise for the years he was here. 

Praise that I saw him graduate. 

Praise for the life he lived. 

The impact he made. 

I remember. 

I remember the day he was born. 

Even then, God teaching me to let go. 

I was so sick. 

Others held him before me. 

I look around the cemetery. 

Other beloved family members so close. 

Stones marking the lives of those loved dearly. 

Flags blowing in the gentle breeze, whispering of the past. 

I remember. 

Memorial Day. 

A day to remember. 

To honor. 

We must never forget. 

I Samuel 7:12

Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen. 

He named it Ebenezer, saying, "Thus far the LORD has helped us."

We erect memorials in our lives to mark events. 

We celebrate birthdays. 

We place markers at graves. 

It is in us to remember. 

Oral tradition of story telling originated from a desire to never forget. 

Deuteronomy 11:19

Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up.

God tells us not to forget. 

Do not forget my Word. 

Teach your children in everything you do. 

Each step you take. 

Every move you make. 

He has equipped us to carry His word to the people. 

We do this in word and deed. 

Let this Memorial Day be a remembrance of what Christ did for you. 

Of what your fellow men and women endured for your freedom. 

Remember. 

Never forget. 

Share it. 

Live it. 

What will you do to remember this Day? 

They Will Never Be Forgotten Day #10 of Thankfulness

They willingly go. 

Something about the call. 

A camaraderie.

A duty. 

Our Veteran's. 

Bound by a creed. 

Actions speaking louder than words. 

Old and young. Single or married. 

It matters not when the call arises. 

They, are our Veteran's. 

Our son. 

His desire. 

To be a Marine. 

He longed to serve. 

Test scores high; College material. 

Not for him. 

His heart; enlistment. 

He was not yet 18.
I wrestled and struggled, not my will but thine. 

I respected the call, I signed for my son to give his all. 

His calling though, was not to be,

it was for something we couldn't see. 

His dreams never fulfilled. 
Yet my heart soars with pride when I think of what he was willing to sacrifice.  

I pray you'll take the time to share your gratitude and care with a Veteran. 
May we never forget the One who made the ultimate sacrifice. 
Who fought the holiest battle for our soul. 
He went willingly, to the cross, that we might live. 

30 Days of Thankfulness~

I am thankful for:

A son, willing to serve
For the Young lady who wrote this song.
At Your Pace
A grandfather, many uncles and aunts and my father who answered the call
For this young man, whom no words can describe my respect for him 

For Uncle Harold and his service and time in Viet Nam
For all who serve and have served-their sacrifice has meant our freedom

The gift of prayer and how it changes us
Sundays that are truly a day of rest-that looks so different for everyone
Worship
Monday Mornings-a whole new week
The work of grief, how it changes us
My farmer and his steadfastness, no matter how grumpy I am
This farm
Crisp mornings, hot coffee, a warm home
The quiet in the mornings to reflect and spend quality time with the Lord
For this Season of Thanksgiving, how intentional gratitude works deep down in my soul
For a God interested in the details of our lives


May we all walk in gratitude for those who have fought for our right to 
worship, live and love.
And here's to all the Mama's who will never hold their babies again. 
Thank you for your sacrifice. 
Your boy will never be forgotten. 

Tim McGraw
If You're Reading This

Never Forget; Remember

It's been a year. A since the waters rose. Since the rains came and destruction ensued. It's been a year since a sweet young teacher was stranded and sought solace in our home. Where 2 teen age boys lived. And were thrilled to be in her presence. It's been a year since the break of day brought the sights of the force of rushing water.
A year since we were hemmed in and ran out of toilet paper. A year since our friends were here for a month, celebrating all that spring recitals, High School graduation and concerts had to offer.

A year.

The road is repaired. More river spills that year washed out additional roads. Rain fell continually from the sky. Great torrents. Ruining pastures and feed needed for the winter.

It's been a year since the sun shown down brightly and we marched to the grave to say thank you for those who served. Since we anticipated our son's entrance into the USMC.  A year since the red head marched in his last Memorial Day parade.

Time passed and the red headed boy took his last drive and met the King of Kings on a clear summer evening. His dream of serving this country swiftly ended. Our lives changed forever. And longing settles in. Never to be filled. Yet he now serves in the mightiest Corps there ever was. He had a higher Calling.

His patriotism evident. The respect for his life choices apparent. Flags placed. He would have made an amazing marine. His duty to God and country fierce. A desire to physically be at his best first and foremost.

Today we honor those who died in service to this country. We thank God for their dedication to ensure the freedoms that we have today. Even the freedom to disagree with what I am writing. Or what anyone writes or says. Without fear of any recompense.

We will spend the day at the parade; and  a ceremony dedicated to remembering. We will walk through the graveyard. Awed once again by the sheer number that have served, marked by the grace of the American Flag. We will walk by our son's grave. Not able to "officially" sport a flag.Yet knowing the heart he had; the love he had for God and country.


God had other plans for him. Our path left on this earth to carry on with out him. But the memory will linger. He will remain in our hearts. We will be grateful.

God speaks often about Memorials. He doesn't want us to forget. He wants us to remember. Remember well the sacrifice made by One for all.

Exodus 4:12

“This day shall be for you a memorial day, and you shall keep it as a feast to the Lord; throughout your generations, as a statute forever, you shall keep it as a feast.

We need to remember. We need to feast. We need community. We need Christ.

Remember and do not forget.

Honoring Those Who Served. . .Day #11 of Thankfulness

You won't wear the uniform.

The pride that ran so deep never to be experienced.

Life ended so abruptly

Dreams shattered

Cuts like a knife

The memories; all that are left

It is Veteran's Day
And the Birthday of the Marines.

This is the uniform that I hold in my heart now.
It will be forever etched in my mind.

Right there in that moment your present and future mingled.
Yet your future never to be.
And the grace that is given this side of eternity leaves me once again undone.
We are given the Marine Flag.



Cedric heads to the woods.
He returns with a Cedar post for a flag pole.
We will now proudly display the American Flag along with the Marine Flag.
That Cedric. Is growing into a fine young man.

Day #11 of Thankfulness
Today I am thankful for:
The Marines and the desire our son had to serve
The men and woman who are serving now
Those who have served
 families with loved ones serving
Those that have given their life for our freedom
This country and the freedoms we have because so many gave
Our flag and what it represents
My dad, Uncle Harold, Uncle Richard and Uncle Buddy for their dedication and service to our Country

A son with a heart that is broken and uses his grief to serve.
A Memorial Service to remember children who have gone before their parents
God who will never let us go, who holds us in the palm of his hands

Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
    do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
    I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.

Please stand with me as we honor the great American Heros

Thank you