Remembering is Good

This Memorial Day was more memorable than others. I got to go fishing with a friend (he let me drive his boat). I got to hang out with family and friends over some freshly grilled chicken, steak and shrimp. I was able to load my wife's car for the school activities she is coordinating today (that wasn't so much fun....). I took a hot shower, laid down in a comfortable bed with a nice fan overhead to cool me. I slept worry free until I had to wake up this morning to go to work. And , most probably, today, I will travel over 100 miles without having to stop in at any checkpoints or explain where I'm going or why I'm going there. All of these things are possible because of the men and women of the armed forces both past and present who have secured my liberties with their sacrificies and lives.
The Bible teaches us in Romans 13 and other places that God has ordained the government to help maintain order in his creation. When we live like we are supposed to live, we have no fear of the governement. When we govern ourselves like we are supposed to govern ourselves (namely, when we look for the interests of the multitude rather than self-serving agendas), we have God's blessing.
For me the image of a verteran is an old, white-haired man sitting on a front porch sipping coffee. The reason for this image in my mind is because that old, white-haired man was my great uncle. In truth, he was more like a grandfather than a great uncle. He fought in WWII and rarely spoke of the things he endured. When he died, he left a great deal of his earthly possessions to me, but none of them was and is more special than the little metal lockbox I found hidden away in the attic. When I finally got in it, I found snapshots of Hitler and his armies, German medals, love letters and many other personal items that told me a story about a man I knew, but didn't know.
As I've pieced together some of those things to gain a clearer understanding of who he was and what his life entailed, I've concluded that he sacrificed and endured extreme hardship in order to secure our freedom as Americans. He and countles others like him are the reason why we enjoy the quality of life and style of life that we enjoy. Without him and his generation and without those brave men and women serving currently around the world, we would not know the peace that we enjoy. When I remember my uncle, I'm overwhelmed with gratitude for his sacrifice and I'm spurred on to show gratitude to those currently serving. Remembering is good - if it helps us to never forget and if it motivates us to action.