Just some early morning thoughts from me to you…

“The Lord is close to the brokenhearted; He rescues those whose spirits are crushed.”
Psalm 34: 18 (NLT)

“God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
Psalm 46: 1 (NIV)

“…They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’”
Revelation 21: 3b-5a (NIV)

It was different than in times past.

As I hung our American flag yesterday morning for this Memorial Day weekend, there seemed to be so many fewer American flags being flown in the community.

I wonder. Indifference. Apathy.

Certainly they must care.

Certainly they know whom we honor this Memorial Day weekend and why.

We honor Patriots, who often came back from their duty in pieces, in boxes, on stretchers and crutches, whose bodies now lie beneath row after row of white crosses in the hallowed grounds of Arlington National Cemetery and in thousands of cemeteries across this nation and around the world.

Patriots who gave their last full measure of devotion so that we might live, laugh, sit, sleep, and pray here today in freedom.

Prayer to our God who in the midst of wars or tragedies which He didn’t cause, is an ever-present help and source of strength, always close at hand when our hearts are broken and spirits crushed.

Our younger granddaughter, Ellie, graduated from High School this past Friday, and did so as the Valedictorian of her class.

An honor which also brought with it the duty to speak to the graduating class and all in attendance at the ceremony. Her powerful words of wisdom reflected a heart aligned with her God, calling us to serve and encourage His children.

As she concluded, she called us to a moment of caring, inviting us to pause in silent prayer for the nineteen children and two teachers whose lives were lost in the evil which occurred at the elementary school in Uvalde, Texas last week.

Tears flowed as we bowed our heads in silent personal prayer with our God who loves us, cares about us, and also weeps with us in our grief.

The same God who calls us to remember, care for, and never forget all those who have stood in the gap for us whom we pause on this Memorial Day weekend to honor.

We often don’t understand.

Tragedies, horrific acts against the innocent, wars and conflicts of every kind.

We often can’t understand.

Struggling to wrap our minds around all that occurs around us and throughout the world.

Yet through it all we must remember that God remains close and is our refuge and strength.

That He will wipe away every tear and make all things new.

And He calls us to continue to care, and to follow the example of others who have cared, like those we honor this Memorial Day.

To continue to strive with Him to make a difference in the lives around us.

Always caring.

Always with hope in the God who will always be there.

In His Name–Scott