What You are Willing to Give {Veterans, We Salute You!}

Today is Veteran’s Day. A day we honor our veterans for their “patriotism, love of country, and willingness to serve and sacrifice for the common good.”

Yet I know there are some veterans out there who don’t feel like they’ve done enough to receive the respect and honor other vets do.

These are veterans who never ended up on the front lines.

Veterans who weren’t injured defending this country.

Veterans who served this country (and us) from a relatively “safe” post.

All Service Matters

My father served in the Army during the Korean War; my late father-in-law served in the Navy in World War II; my brother Mike served in the Marines, and now my niece Ashley is a newly graduated Marine (November 2016). I’ve had uncles and cousins serve.

Each of their service experiences greatly varied, but they all deserve our honor and respect.

Take for instance, my dad. Despite his desire at the time, Dad never saw combat. He was stationed in Germany to aid the cause there. His brother Harlan gave his life on the front lines, missing in action in the Korean War.

Yet both Dad and Uncle Harlan, and scores more, should be equally celebrated today.

Because it’s not what you give that matters as much as what you are willing to give.

It's not what you give that matters as much as what you are willing to give. Click To Tweet

Willing To Serve

The same can be said for being a Christian.

God doesn’t use each of us in the same way. Each of the 12 apostles except John were martyred. They all suffered horrible persecution.

God calls some Christians today to dangerous wore-torn countries or communist states where imprisonment, torture, and death are real issues for professing Christians and missionaries. Yet He calls others to minister in safety and relative comfort.

The former doesn’t make the latter less of a Christian.

The willingness of the heart is the most important thing.

Every service member offered their lives for this country. Not all had to give their life, their very breath, but all were willing to do so.

Not every service member gave their life for our country, but all were willing to do so. We salute you, Veterans! Click To Tweet

So Dad, Mike, Ashley, and all who put on a uniform and swore to defend this beautiful country, I honor you for your willingness to put others before your own welfare.

I am forever grateful for all our Veterans. Stand with me in saluting them today!

“Whoever wants to be first among you must be a slave to all. For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life—a ransom for many.” (Mark 10:44-45)

Reflections: Who are you honoring this Veteran’s Day for their willingness to serve … no matter what the cost?

Linking with Ann Voskamp at A Holy Experience in 2013 with my Joy Dare list for Multitude Mondays (#2250–2270, read the entire list by clicking here):

Praying with my children each night; Bathtime for Rachel; Free technology advice for someone who knows very little–me!
Presenting to preservice teachers; Successfully getting to the presentation despite a wrong turn;The film Road to Emmaus
Brick one-room school standing as a memorial; Annual Christmas shopping day w/ Mom & my sis; Friends willing to help out
I’m forgiven; Presenting with Rach–what a joy!; Watching @BillyGraham‘s #myhopeamerica tonight
Joey’s enjoyment & success at his 1st wrestling meet; Rach participating in my workout by tickling my feet;Autumn colors
Walking w/ friends&family for a great cause; Crazy laughter over past memories;Celebrating the lives of 2 special people
Powerful sermon on self-worth; Rach “dripping” bubbles on the way to bed–just a little “before-bed” dishes;My boys’ luv