Honoring Those Who Serve

Hey Everybody,

The most Christ-like thing you can ever hope to do is lay down your life for another. In many ways, we moms do this every day: laying down our lives, time, resources, desires, and investing our hearts and souls into the lives of our children. But they belong to us--they are part of us--and we love them. What about laying down your life for a stranger?

Thousands of men and women do this every day: our precious United States soldiers. A few years ago, I had the wonderful privilege of leading a mom's group of army wives at Fort Campbell, KY. I met many of these courageous heroes, and I got to know their families. I loved the days I got to spend sharing with those ladies and also, welcoming their new babies into this world.

One day in particular stands out. I was on the post making rounds at the army hospital with the chaplain. He took me to meet a very special young couple who were welcoming their third child into their family. The young dad was sitting on the bed with his wife and holding his new baby. He was wearing a pair of red gym shorts that exposed his double amputation. He had lost both his legs in a bombing during his tour in Afghanistan. I didn't mean to stare, but I couldn't take my eyes off his scars. His legs had been amputated well above his mid-thigh. As I stood there trying to celebrate the joy of this young family, I could not get over the fact that I was standing next to a man whose scars were there because of me. And it occurred to me that in this life, it was a glimpse of what it might be like when I stand next to my Lord Jesus and see His scars for the very first time. I was completely overwhelmed with emotion: gratitude, wonder, sorrow, pride, and reverence.

How do you say "thank you" to such a hero? And what do you do when he says that he would do it all again?

Oh, America! With such heroes as these, our hope is not lost.