Beneath a Large Tree
Beneath a large tree in Arlington National Cemetery, I found this group of Unknowns. Soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice, but are known only to God. Honoring men like these is what Memorial Day is about.
I walked a bit further and found more Unknowns. It just stunned me I guess. So many men that didn’t go home to their families. So many families who never knew what happened to their sons, brothers, and husbands. It’s truly heartwrenching.
Then in pouring rain…I mean so hard that there were rivers in the streets…I see some wonderful people stopping to read every name and then placing a rose on every grave. They were in many sections as I walked through the cemetery.
It just touched my heart to know that every sacrifice would be acknowledged and grave a rose.
I also watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown. The honor. The respect. These days, it’s rare to see. Moving beyond words to see it given to those who died anonymously in service to their nation. Our nation.
Point to ponder while you wander…Memorial Day is about honoring those who gave their lives in service to our nation. Veteran’s Day is about honring and respecting those living who have served.
No Camouflage
This is a painting I made for a friend, a camoflauged version of Psalm 139. Which is all about being unable to hide from God and His love for you. I liked it. She liked it. So I’m sharing it.
Adam and Eve tried to hide from God in the Garden because of what they had done. We all know that we cannot hide from an all-seeing and all-knowing God. But most of us still try it. It’s silly and pointless but we do it.
But why?
Shame. Fear. Guilt. Those are all tools of the darkness, the enemy, to steal your joy, hope, peace, and distract you from your purpose.
Take your mistakes immediately to God, because in the light there is hope, healing and restoration.
Point to ponder while you wander…There’s no camouflage from God. He sees you, even if no one else sees you. You are not invisible nor forgotten, but engraved on the palm of His hand. Nothing can stop Him from loving you. Nothing!
Deep Thought Thursday…Preconceived Notions
“Philip went and found Nathanael and told him, “We’ve found the One Moses wrote of in the Law, the One preached by the prophets. It’s Jesus, Joseph’s son, the one from Nazareth!”
Nathanael said, “Nazareth? You’ve got to be kidding.” But Philip said, “Come, see for yourself.”” – John 1:45-46 MSG
Nathaniel had a choice. He could roll his eyes and say a guy from Nazareth? The Messiah? Pffft. No thanks.
Or
To take a chance.
He choose to take a chance and his life was never the same again.
Point to ponder while you wander….Everyone has preconceived notions about people based on their experiences. But we have to choose whether we are going to hold tight to these prejudices or give people a shot on their own merit.
jillbeingstill 