Greater Love Remembered

-- Words are such small containers for the profound thoughts that come today in remembrance. Whether by choice or by necessity, those who have answered the call of a country's battle cry and a desperate world in trouble are to be honored above all. They who . . . --do what must be done, ---sacrifice their own comfort, ----their right to their own path, -----their own dreams, ------time with their own families . . . they stand head and shoulders above the rest of us on whose behalf they fight. They sacrifice their own way so we can . . . --do what we want to do, ---live with the comforts of home, ----pursue our own path, -----dream our own dreams ------love our families up close without interruption . . . we look up to them as the best among us. There is not a reward we could ever bestow on all the brave men and women who fight for our freedom that would be great enough--that's not why they fight anyway. The very best way we can reward them is by showing our extreme gratitude, and by living out our freedom with as much honor as was required to win it.

Jesus said, "Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his friends." John 15:13 NIV

He should know.

His entire existence on earth was about laying down his life to save people who couldn't save themselves. He volunteered, enlisted, jumped at the chance to leave His glorious home and His beloved Father in Heaven to go to a completely foreign and hostile place to fight for the freedom of a world of people, most of whom hated Him. That's right--He laid down His life, not just for His friends, but even for people while they were still His enemies. Greater love indeed! Veteran's Day. . . Remembrance Day north of the border, is a day to remember those who have fought to secure our freedom. We remember them because of the selflessness of their sacrifice and willingness to lay down their lives for others in the greatest demonstration of love possible. As we remember, let us never miss in their example, the echo of the young man of Nazareth who gave His life, all the way to dying, out of His love for each of us. Our veterans have purchased national freedom from tyranny for us with their blood, sweat and tears. Jesus bought us eternal freedom from the tyranny of sin with His perfect, sinless blood, selfless sweat and tender tears. In both cases, the only gratitude that can approach the greatness of the sacrifice is the gratitude that lives out its freedom with the same love and honor and passion as those whose blood secured that freedom. We should live like we know it was blood-bought, and NEVER take it for granted. My most humble thanks to all our heroic veterans--I can never express the depth of my thanks. May God's richest blessings and protection be abundantly on you and your families. And to the King of Kings, the greatest Hero of all, who set aside everything to come to my rescue, my life is Yours.

"This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." 1 John 3:16 NIV

Go out of your way to honor a veteran today! A simple, but heartfelt "Thank you for your service," is enough to light their face with a smile.

Here is a greeting card to say Thank You to our Troops by FridayDreaming