Thursday, November 11, 2010

GreaThings & Thankfulness

It is Veteran's Day today, hence, I get a day off from work, and I can finish healing from whatever sickness that I have. A fever hit me on Sunday in the middle of the night. What a miserable week...I am not used to being sick. :-(

Recently, I gave an assignment for my  students to write about someone that has impacted their lives and made a difference in a positive way. One of the girls had a blank look on her normally expressive face and said passively, "No one has impacted my life that I know of." My immediate thought was that either she was completely shallow and ungrateful for the mentors and teachers and people in in her life, or she really doesn't have anyone that takes an interest in her.

Her comment spurred me to thinking about how thankful I am for my God, my salvation, my life, my family, my upbringing, my sister Tricia, my harvest ministry, my friendships, and my blessings. During the month of November, I want to post a series of blogs about different things or people that I am thankful for (see my schedule below!).

Since today is Vet's Day, I am reminded to be thankful for the men and women who have fought to keep this country's freedoms in tact.
Not to be cliche, but they defend our nation's constitutional freedoms.
The force our adversaries to back down.
They address threats to national security head-on (at least the ones that they can).
They fight terrorists in an attempt to stem the tide of evil in the world.
They strengthen our nation's defenses.
They defend our rights to a republican society.
They remind us of our history: freedom is never free.

Young men and women, like my own Daddy was, who are aimless and unguided, needing direction and a firm hand of discipline in their lives.
Middle-aged people with planned careers and plans for making rank and supporting their families.
Wizened old vets who sit in dank paneled VFW halls, playing bingo and smoking stinky cigars.
And in memorial to those who have given their lives in service to the US.

One of my heroes, the great statesman Ronald Reagan, once said, "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same, or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children and our children's children what it was once like in the United States where men were free."

By chance, I found out that Chantel (whom I know through bloggyworldness via YLCF) is hosting this year's GreaThings Blog rally!!! :-)

Nov.11- G (Blessings starting with this letter)
Nov 12- R
Nov 13- Scriptures that have been a special blessing this year
Nov 14- E
Nov 15- A
Nov 16- Answered prayers and miracles
Nov 17- T
Nov 18- H
Nov 19- Difficult experiences you're now thankful for
Nov 20- I
Nov 21- N
Nov 22- Special lessons God has taught me this year
Nov 23- G
Nov 24- S
Nov 25- Thanksgiving Day!

2 comments:

  1. I enjoyed this, MaryBeth!

    ReplyDelete
  2. Thank you for sharing, MaryBeth! I'm glad you stopped by and joined in. :)

    Oh, and your blog layout= ADORABLE! Love it!

    ReplyDelete

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