Not Another Mattress Sale

I woke up bright and early this morning excited about a holiday Monday and looking forward to a backyard barbecue and swimming with friends later today. As usual, my brain switched into hyper-drive once it started ticking off chores on my “TO DO” list all needing to be completed in order to make my house company-ready. A return to slumber on this “free” day quickly became impossible.

Somebody forgot to tell my brain and my body that today was a day to sleep in and relax. Somewhere between thinking about my barbecue menu and worrying about mopping the kitchen floor because we’d have a baby toddling around later today, my thoughts settled abruptly on why today is a holiday in the first place.

If you were to ask most people under the age of 30 what Memorial Day is all about they’d likely tell you it’s a three-day holiday designed to sell new cars and pillow-top mattresses. Cause let’s face it, that’s what most of the commercials on TV are centered on.

I’m way beyond 30 and I frequently forget what today is about – clearly evidenced by the fact that all my brain wanted to focus on today was backyard entertaining. I even had another blog all set to post this morning that had absolutely nothing to do with Memorial Day, and for some reason I’m bothered by that.

Both my husband and I grew up in military families and had fathers who were career military. We know first-hand both the sacrifices required and the toll a military career can have on a family. Shame on me for so easily forgetting that.

Today my thoughts and prayers go out to the men and women serving our country at bases all around the country and all around the world, and to the families who love and support them. I say thank-you to our military for choosing to serve our country and thank you to the families of our servicemen and women.

It’s likely Americans will never be on the same page politically or religiously. But, facts are facts. If you’re reading this blog, be thankful because that’s evidence of the fact that we are blessed to live in a country where we are free to share our views – both political and religious. We are a country founded on the principle of “One Nation under God,” and the fact that we’ve had a strong military defense has made that possible.

I don’t want to argue politics; I simply want to remember that today is a day I thank God for our military men and women. I’m proud to be the daughter of a retired Air Force serviceman. Thanks for your service, Dad.

Regardless of your political affiliation, I hope you’ll join me today in praying for our military and take a minute to say thank you as you enjoy your “free Monday” and remember that freedom isn’t always free – it always comes at a cost.

“Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” – John 15:13

Blessings in Christ,
Kathy K.