Memorial Day is just about over. The flags have been brought in and it’s back to school or work tomorrow.  For a few hours, this country took time out to honor our fallen heroes; the ones who gave their all so that we can have it all.  These brave men and women gave their lives for our freedom and Christ gave His all so that we may have eternal life.  This is what Jesus said as stated in the book of John, chapter 10 “⁹ I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.  ¹⁰ The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.  ¹¹ I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.”

Will anyone remember those fallen heroes tomorrow or next week, or will it be another year when Memorial Day rolls around again before we stop for a few moments to honor those lost lives?

In the 1940’s, it was WWII and Pearl Harbor.  Our Naval base in Hawaii was brutally attacked. Lives were lost. And we erected memorials and I’m sure many prayers were said.

And then, all was forgotten.

Then there was Korea.

And Vietnam.

Not only were those “conflicts” buried, the returning soldiers were badly treated.

In the 1990’s, the US Military struggled with Gulf Storm and the Gulf war. I remember it like it was yesterday.  During that time, I worked at a Christian Radio Station.  All of us were seriously tuned in to the spiritual warfare that was going on in the mid east. And we prayed. And our listeners prayed. And our various program ministries prayed. We even recorded some heart-felt prayers from some of the pastors and aired them throughout the days and weeks.

And then, all was forgotten.

Then, in 2001, the unspeakable happened. The United States was viciously attacked at home on our own soil. NINE – ELEVEN happened. 9/11. Terrorists tried to break us. Terrorists tried to destroy us. Terrorist flew into our Twin Towers. Terrorists flew into the Pentagon. Let’s Roll© was uttered. Terrorists took many lives that day. We prayed and we cried. Many memorials were erected all over the country.  Numerous songs were written and sung.

And then, nearly all was forgotten.

So much has been forgotten; so much has been stuck up on a high cabinet shelf like an unwanted can of vegetables.

Let us not put Christ up on that shelf and forget Him.

Run to God when times are rough .. absolutely! See Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”  The Message says it very well, “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”

But remember to praise God in the good times, too. In I Thessalonians 5:18, Paul exhorts us, “In everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.” And in the old testament, 1 Chronicles 16:25a, “For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.”

I’ve heard it said the best way to keep a bible dusted it to use it. Let’s take our bibles down off the high shelf and use them!

Thank You, Father, that you patiently wait for us to run to you again and again. Forgive us Lord, for stowing you away like a can of green beans.  Thank you for life, life more abundant than we can ever imagine.

All scriptures are from the King James Version unless otherwise stated.

©2014 Cat Brennan