Wednesday, March 20, 2024
“Thank a Member of the Armed Services”
Do you know someone who is serving (or did serve) in the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard? Today, our Lenten Challenge is to thank one of them.
This Challenge should be another easy one, but before you shout into the next room a big “Thank You” to the veteran who lives in your home, please allow the rest of us to think about this one.
According to one statistic, about 7% of the adult population in the United States has served in the military. That’s about 18 million people in total, which is a lot. However, the other 93% of us, sometimes struggle with how to show our appreciation for someone who offered their life for our liberty. Most of us don’t know how to process that. We intentionally chose to not get involved for lots of good reasons, but I bet that many of us wish that we would have served when we had the chance.
Veterans are reliable. Veterans are honorable. Veterans understand what it takes to make things work and how to work as a team. Veterans are invaluable in the workplace and all places of leadership. Veterans understand lots of things that the rest of us don’t get.
Today, we need to take the time to thank someone who has the courage and dedication that the rest of us wish we had. Many of us wish we would have done it. They actually did it.
That’s good enough for a hug and “Thank You”, isn’t it? Let ‘em know they are a big deal. Let ‘em know they matter. Let ‘em know that their service has blessed us.
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” (John 15:13, NIV)
