Remembering the Cost of Our Freedom

I find myself joining the hoardes of complainers sometimes voicing dissatisfaction with our government, our President, our congress, our taxes, our laws that seem to get further and further away from God’s laws…

And then I stop and look at how blessed I am to live as a citizen of this ‘challenged, economically stressed, morally struggling’ country and Thank God that I live in the United States!
In the midst of the complaints and challenges I know we still have the best thing going in this world, atleast in my eyes.

And when I stop to reflect on how that is possible I know it’s because even in our often misguided judgement as a country our God has chosen to bless us as a people (I believe because as a fledgling nation we chose Him).
I also know that freedom has not been free, and the men and women that have served in our armed forces are to be thanked and acknowledged for keeping us free and keeping us (complainers and supporters all) privileged to be a part of the best thing going – God Bless the USA!

My niece is one of the brave young soldiers that has chosen a career path that assures us that the US will remain the dominant force in the world that we have always been. She serves in the air force and for the past couple of years has been based at Barksdale (fortunately for her family). However, today she is once again in harm’s way serving in Kyrkukk,Iraq…
She is a proud soldier and has moved up in rank steadily since her decision to join the Air Force. Jackylin is now Captain Merolla and I am so proud of her. We pray for her along with all of our servicemen daily and ask that you whisper a prayer for the brave men and women serving all over the world today.
These shots were made early on in her stay at Barksdale, and although her rank has changed along with her location – her smile, her dedication, and her bravery shine just as brightly today as they did the morning we took these pictures.
Thank you Jackylin for your sacrifice!
And for the families of these brave men and women may I say thank you, your sacrifice also does not go unnoticed. Watching these spouses, fathers, mothers, sons and daughters go off to war has to be a heart wrenching experience, one I’ve only felt minimally and vicariously through the heart of my sister as she has seen her ‘baby’ leave for these parts of the world that are in conflict and war twice now. We thank you for your sacrifice as well.
With God’s help I pray I will be a positive voice in supporting my country and realize that when I would sit in a fine house with the comfort of central heat and air deciding on what to cook for supper, there are so many sitting in barracks or tents or bed rolls suffering heat or cold; hunger or discomfort I can not even imagine so that I might sit in this blessed country – and complain? I choose to pray for our soldiers when I would complain! May I challenge you to join me in praying for our brave soldiers when the temptation arises to complain let’s instead focus that energy in prayer for protection and a safe return home for all of our service men and women.
God Bless America!