Memories bring blessings on Memorial Day.  My great-grandparents left me a legacy filled with love, faith and fortitude. As a child, I remember them coming down the antique stairs on their golden wedding day. She and Grandpa Lowe renewed their vows and I wondered why they wanted to get married again. Now I know.

            My grandparents added to the family legacy. They gave me something money cannot buy…unconditional love for each other for over 65 years. As a teenager I wondered why they worked so hard, side–by side. Now I know.

            My parents’ loyalty and faithfulness set an example not only for me, but also for my children and grandchildren. Now I know their secret…sacrificial love.

            Death will never take the memories away. I am filled with the hope of seeing them again. The grave is not “goodbye. It is just, “so long, for now.”

            On this Memorial Day I will decorate the resting places of those I hold so dear. I will be thankful for a loving God who has filled my life with so many who loved me, guided me and taught me God’s Way.

            I will remember that nothing done for God is ever wasted, but can have a life long effect upon a person’s life.

            On this special day I will honor those who have lost their lives in protecting freedom. I am grateful for the military and all the others who sacrifice their lives for you and me. I honor the policemen, firemen, and all the other community helpers who make our world better for all of us. Their love and unselfishness is displayed in its truest form.

            I like to “recount the greatest memorial of my life.” I think of the hard places the Lord has brought me through. He was faithful then and he is faithful now. He is steadfast and true. I look back upon each crisis in my life and I see the hand of God sustaining me.

I am overcome with gratitude.

            Not just on Memorial Day, but every day is a day to honor a man who died on an old rugged cross for all of us. He paid a debt we could not pay.

            Memorial Day is a time of reflection. It ‘s a time to remember those who have gone on before us and it’s so right to honor those who have touched and blessed our lives. May we have gratitude for the memory of  loved ones and be thankful for Jesus, who conquered death for you and me.

            Are you going through some hard places? Are you having a time of testing? Does it seem there is no way to turn and that maybe you have come to a dead end? If so, stop and remember the faithfulness of God. When was the last difficulty you encountered? God never left you even if you didn’t realize it at the time. Recount the memorial from that time of life and give God praise! “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways” (Psalm 9l:11 KJV).

            It is hard to see your way clear when you’re going through the valley. Yet even in the darkest night, you are not alone. God did not leave you in the past. He will not leave you now. “God has said, ‘Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you’” (Hebrews 13:5 NIV).

            I can’t help but sing about God’s goodness and mercy. I sing because Memorial Day is special and living in America is a privilege.

            May all of us remember those who have made America the greatest place on earth!